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No I. BUFF OR PARTRIDGE COCHIN. 

As Tn-f'd by 1>. AV. Il4'ri>;f in*', C. II. AVariier. I. V:inWinkU', J. 31. Wade, 
G. 31. Cliaiiipnoy. J. (;rav«'s. JLI. J. Taylor, W. Siuipsoii, Ji'-, etc. 




No. 2. QUEEN VICTORIA'S ORIGINAL COCHINS,. 

Drawn in lo4I, by Harrison Weir, London. 



BURNHAM'S 



NEW 



POULTRY BOOK 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE 



OJSr SELECTING-, ia:OXJSIN"G}- J^NT> BREEDIICG}- 

DOMESTIC FOWLS, 

AND RAISING POULTRY AND EGGS FOR MiLRKET. 



BY GEO. P/BURNHAM, 

Author of " The New England Poultry Breeder," etc. 



;/^ 




Illustrated with cuts of different modern popular varieties, from life, 
Plans of Poultry Houses, Hatching Coops, Cages, &c. 



PUBLISHED BY 

AMERICAN NEWS COMPANY, NEW YORK. 
N. E. NEWS COMPxVNY, BOSTON. 

1871. 



S ^4 - 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by 

GEO. P. BURNHAM, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



PRINTED BY 
WILLIA.M H. CHANDLER, 

CORNHILL, BOSTON. 



PREK^CE 



% 



The following pages have been prepared to supply an apparent 
want at this time, which is evinced in consequence of the remarka- 
ble fresh impetus which in the last few years seems to have been 
given in this country to the pursuit of the subject treated of — to wit, 
the raising and improvement of Domestic Poultry. 

Since the close of the late war in the United States, farmers, coun- 
try gentlemen, fanciers, and amateurs in all directions have entered 
into the prosecution of this business witli new zeal in America. 

Where fifteen years ago there was one breeder of fine poultry in this 
country, it is safe to assert there are now a score, or more ; and Amer- 
can fimciers have provided themselves with the best specimens of 
poultry probably in the world, to-day. The author is not aware that 
any work upon Poultry has been published latterly, bringing the 
record down to the present time, and treating the subject in the 
modern style he has herein attempted. 

The superior illustrations which adorn the volume, speak for them- 
selves. For the most part, they are well drawn and nicely engraved 
for us by Messrs. Bricher & Conant, Boston, and give the character- 
istics of the fowls they are intended to represent, with rare fidelity — 
in many instances to the life. Until within a few years', there were 
no artists on this side of the Atlantic who executed wood-cuts to 
represent poultry witli any degree of accuracy, or likeness to the 
originals. At the present day it is not difficult to procure nice de- 
lineations of favorite birds — in almost any part of the North — as is 
shown in the beautiful cuts presented in this Poultry Book, though 
though a few are taken from Harrison Weir's splendid drawings. 

In the appropriate places, the author credits those gentlemen who 
have aided him with suggestions, or who have furnished some of 
these fine drawings, themselves, to embellish this work. It has been 
the intention to treat the many breeders and their favorite stock 
fairly, and no preference is given where it is not deemed deserving. 

Since the undersigned commenced the breeding of Domestic Poul- 
try (over thirty years since) many changes among breeders and their 
favorite fowls have occurred ! He has learned something in that long 
period, and he now offers the details of his experience — in simple 
language — to those who will appreciate it, he trusts, in the kindly 
spirit which has actuated him in preparing this present treatise. 

Melrose, Mass., 1871. The Author. 



CONTENTS. 



Chap. Page. 

I. General Introduction 5 

II. On Eggs, and Hatching Chickens 13 

in. Feeding and Rearing Young Broods 23 

IV. Purely-bred Year old Fowl, Upward. ... 34 

V. Poultry-Houses, and Accommodations. ... 51 

VI. Raising Poultry and Eggs for Market. . . 64 

VII. Illustrations of Poultry-Houses 81 

VIII. Fowl-Houses, Coops, Chicken-Cages, Etc. . . 100 

IX. On Artificial Egg-Hatching 121 

X. Patent Incubators, and Improvements. . . 128 

XL Poultry Exhibitions, and Show-Fowls. . . . 137 

XII. Varieties of Popular Fowls'. The Brahma. . 148 

XIII. The Original "CocHiN-CmNA." 169 

XIV. Old and New Partridge Cochins 179 

XV. Modern Buff Cochins. 188 

XVT. The Houdans, Crevecceurs and La Fleche. . 199 

XVIL The Dark Brahma Fowl 207 

XVIII. The English Gray Dorking 220 

XIX. The Game Fowl and its Uses 227 

XX. Black Spanish and Gueldres 245 

XXL Dominique, Spangled Hamburg, Bolton Gray. 252 

XXII. Golden Sebright and other Bantams. . . . 265 

XXIIL " Many Men have Many Minds." 271 

XXIV. The American Wild Turkey 284 

XXV. Rearing the Domestic Turkey 290 

XXVI. Wild, Bremen, Toulouse, and Native Geese. 301 

XXVII. The Aylesbury, Rouen, and Common Duck. . 311 

XXVIII. What I know about Poultry and Fowl-Shows. 318 

XXIX. Twenty-five good Rules for Fowl-Breeders. 327 

XXX. Raising Fowls in Quantities, to Profit. . . 333 




BURNHAM'S NEW POULTRY BOOK. 



CHAPTER I. 

GENERAL INTRODUCTION. 



It has beeo aptly stated, by a modern practical 
author, that " the poultry interest in the United 
States is a very important one ; " and that " the intro- 
duction of improved Breeds or Varieties of Fowls, 
which insure greater size, finer quality, and increased 
productiveness in eggs or fleshy contributes just so much 
to the aggregate wealth of the country." 

The truthfulness of this statement is beyond ques- 
tion. Yet the real value and importance of this easily 
managed and readily produced auxiliary to the aug- 



6 burnham's new poultry-book; 

mentation of our national wealth, is not fully appre- 
ciated as yet ; albeit much has been accomplished in 
the right direction, within the past twenty years, and, 
more signally, during the last decade, in America, 
towards the desirable object of producing in quantity as 
well as quality, the finest Domestic Poultry in the 
world. 

The statistics, as shown by a late census report, set 
down tlie actual market value of poultry in the single 
State of New York, for example, at near three millions 
of dollars ; which, at that period, exceeded the com- 
mercial value of all the swine in that State, equalled 
about one half the value of its sheep, the entire valua- 
tion of its neat cattle^ and over four times the whole 
returned value of its horses and mules. 

The amount expended for eggs alone, in the city of 
Boston in 1869, reached almost two millions of dollars. 
For poultry, near three millions. One large hotel in 
that city uses an average of one hundred dozen, daily, 
at the present time — or half a million eggs, annually. 
In New York city, a leading hotel proprietor informs 
me that in 1869 he used in his establishment one Imn- 
dred and forty dozen, daily, during that year. Two 
hotels in Philadelphia exceed tliat average, at the pres- 
ent time. The cash value of eggs sent to London and 
Liverpool, from Dublin, alone, in 1866, aggregated one 
million four hundred and thirteen thousand pounds 
sterling — over seven millions of dollars, in gold ! 
These are merely items in the vast aggregate — for 
actual consumption, at market prices — which con- 
tribute to swell the amount in solid value of poultry 



A' PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 7 

and eggs, to its enormous reality in this and other 
countries ; a recent estimate placing their value in 
the United States alone, at $17,000,000 ! 

The Societe Industrielle of Mulhouse, in the Depart- 
ment of the Haut Rhin, Alsace, publish a journal de- 
voted to manufactures, and general scientific matters 
appertaining thereto. This Society has repeatedly of- 
fered, in behalf of the French Print manufacturers of 
that famed locality, large premiums for the discovery 
of a substitute for the albumen (or white) of eggs — 
of which substance they absorb immense quantities, 
in fixing the colors, in printing calicoes and muslin 
delaines. 

To supply the large demand for this albumen — 
which, up to the present day, has no equal for the 
specific purpose mentioned, and for which as yet no 
substitute that equals it has been found — a vast num- 
ber of hens' eggs are necessarily used, annually. In 
response to the liberal offer made through this journal, 
certain parties have produced a kind of albumen, made 
from the spawn of fish, and others from slaughter- 
house blood ; neither of which have proved colorless, 
however, and consequently are not of the value of the 
original. 

The requirements of the French print manufacturers 
therefore are such that they must have this albumen, 
to a given extent, and this demand has caused the 
establishment of large poultry-raising establishments, 
in the vicinity of Mulhouse, for the producing of eggs, 
from which this albumen is gathered ; wliich fowl- 
houses are now carried on there under their style of 



8 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

management, with success and remunerative profit ; and 
the demand, in every way, is ever increasing, for both 
eggs and poultry. 

Everybody " loves eggs and chickens." Almost ev- 
erybody eats eggs, in some form, more or less, daily. 
In the family economy, eggs enter largely into our food, 
our cakes, our confections ; while for our custards, pies, 
omelets, and puddings — or fried, boiled, poached, or 
scrambled — everybody knows their intrinsic value 
in the household, in detail. Few families live without 
eggs, and most of us indulge largely in the beneficent 
luxury of both the producers, and this product of 
poultry. Thus, a moment's reflection will satisfy the 
incredulous of the truth contained in our early quoted 
assertion, that the poultry interest in the United States, 
is a highly important one ; and we may add that it is so 
important and so valuable an interest, that it should 
continually be nursed and cultivated ; with a care and 
zeal commensurate with its sterling merits. 

We know that he who causes two blades of grass to 
grow where but one grew before, is a benefactor to his 
race; and he who may enhance the quality of our 
poultr}^, and increase its size and productiveness, in any 
way that shall result in permanent improvement, is 
equally a general benefactor to the people. 

If an experience of thirty years in the rearing and 
management of poultry will afford one the means of in- 
forming himself as to the habits, characteristics, needs, 
and qualities of domestic fowls — the author of this 
" New Poultry Book " may lay claim to having gradu- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 9 

ated ; since it is more than thirty years ago, that he 
commenced, (in Roxbury, Mass.,) the breeding of poul- 
try on a large scale. 

The results of that long and varied experience will be 
found detailed in the following pages. The writer has, 
in his time, bred largely all the varieties of Domestic 
Fowls tliat have been popularly known in this country, 
and in England — from the diminutive Black, or Se- 
bright Bantam, to the colossal Cochin, Brahma, or Shang- 
hae ; and his experience has been such that he feels com- 
petent to the task of offering in plain language, such 
facts, deductions and directions, in reference to the 
selecting, housing, feeding, multiplying, and care of 
domestic poultry, as will — if carried out — assure to 
fanciers, breeders, or amateurs, both success and profit, 
as well as easy and healthful pastime, in the modus 
operandi herein proposed. 

In the general making up of this book, however, the 
author has not relied upon himself, alone, for the facts 
and theories he now submits to the fanciers and admir- 
ers of that pleasant branch of rural economy — poultry- 
breeding. As will be seen in the following pages, due 
credit is given to the gentlemen who have contributed to 
the work ; and who have furnished for this Poultry Book 
fine portraits and drawings of various kinds of popular 
domestic fowls ; with plans of cages, coops, chicken- 
houses, etc. ; all of which favors are duly acknowledged 
in the appropriate place. 

It is believed that iio work on this subject at present 
exists that is so simple in its details, so thoroughly 



10 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

practical in its sug'gestions, so complete in its general 
directions, or so modern in its bearings — as is this vol- 
ume. It has been the author's aim to state directly and 
fairly what he knows from long-tried experiment, and to 
add to his own experience that of other reliable parties 
who aim to benefit the public through this humble 
means, in their laudable efforts to improve the poultry 
stock of this country, and naturally to remunerate them- 
selves, sooner or later, for the outlay and care necessari- 
ly bestowed upon their several undertakings in this re- 
gard. 

M. de Reaumer, member of the Royal Academy of 
Sciences, at Paris, more than a century ago issued a 
work entitled " The Art of Hatching and Bringing up 
Domestic Fowls of all kinds, at any time of the year." 
This volume bears a London imprint — being " printed 
for C. Davis, over against Gray's Inn Gate " — in 1750 ; 
and contains a large amount of valuable matter upon 
the subject now treated of, though that treatise refers 
more especially to the hatching and raising of chickens 
by means of artificial heat ; a mode not adopted to any 
great extent, or with any marked degree of success, as 
yet, in this country. Mons. de Reaumer presented to 
the Academy his first paper on this interesting occupa- 
tion, on St. Martin's Day, 1747, " when the public of 
that time seemed to have judged, as he had done, of the 
great advantages to be expected of making a husiness of 
chicken-raising ;" a business which he claims " requires 
several branches of knowledge, and a great many small 
experiments, the sum total of which constitutes the sub- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 11 

ject matter of an art^^ in his opinion ; though M. de 
Reaumer candidly admits that " all that this art requires 
we should know, is so very plain, that it is as soon ob- 
tained as read." 

At that remote day, to wit, one hundred and twenty- 
five years ago, this writer says that the " multiplying at 
pleasure and with the utmost ease, domestick birds, of 
which such a vast number is consumed, all over the 
world, cannot be overdone ;" and he avers that even at 
tliat time, the public " would be startled with the im- 
mense consumption made of them. By multiplying 
chickens and hens, we multiply the number of eggs. 
The procuring of corn and cattle in plenty," he adds, 
'• has been a part of the views of the greatest ministers 
on earth ; nor is the procuring of a plenty of domestick 
fowls an object less worthy of their attention." 

De Reaumer was right. And, though he published 
his " memoir " so long ago, the exact truth, as above 
quoted, is no less forcible to-day, that the propagation 
o{ plenty of domestic poultiy is a desideratum. And, in 
our land, where the work may be so pleasantly and so 
profitably prosecuted (if undertaken and pursued right- 
fully, and judiciously) as it may be in any locality in 
this country, this object is pre-eminently worthy of the 
attention of all who enjoy the trivial facilities requisite 
to aid in accomplishing the acceptable results hinted at. 

To enable those who have a taste for this pleasing 
employment to carry out their wishes, and to assist the 
amateur, the farmer, or the fancier, more readily to suc- 
ceed in the raising of poultry — as well also as to inform 



12 burnham's new poqltry-book. 

such persons how and of whom they may procure the 
best breeding-stock, to begin with, and how they may 
manage either to become rivals among " fanciers," or 
successful competitors in the production of chickens and 
eggs for market, simply — is the design of this " New 
Poultry-Book." 

We shall give the true history of the large Asiatic 
fowls from our own personal knowledge and experience 
with that ever popular variety, and the reader will find, 
in the following pages that the writer freely accords 
credit where such credit is known to him to be due, to 
other gentlemen wlio have expended money, time and 
brains — as he has — in the purchase, rearing and ex- 
perimenting with poultry, foreign and native. 

It will be the aim in this volume, to state what seems 
desirable to be set down here, in succinct, plain language, 
uniformly ; and it is confidently believed, that if the 
general hints and directions we offer are carefully fol- 
lowed out, that the novice in " the art " may easily raise 
good poultry and plenty of it — which may always be 
disposed of, at remunerating prices, as his reward in 
this agreeable kind of enterprise. 





CHAPTER II. 



ON EGGS AND HATCHING CHICKENS. 



To begin at the foundation, we propose a brief chap- 
ter on eggs, and tlie hatching of chickens. And first 
— in selecting eggs for incubation, some care is neces- 
sary to ensure future success with them. The custom 
at the present time, is very general among beginners, 
to purchase eggs, for a sitting or two, from breeders, or 
dealers in the variety of fowls they prefer. This latter 
consideration is a matter of/ancy, purely. Some incline 
to the medium-sized fowl — as the White Dorking, the 
Black Spanish, Leghorns, the Dominique, the Sicily, 
the Houdan, or the Guelderlands. Others favor the 
Cochins, Brahmas, Shanghaes, Crevecoeur, La Fleche, or 
other large Asiatic or French birds. While a few pre- 
fer the Bolton Gray, the Hamburg, the Poland, or Game. 

13 



14 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

The transportation of eggs intended for hatching, to 
any great distance by express and railway carriage, has 
proved, in my experience, frequently injurious. I have 
forwarded thousands of dozens of eggs, in all directions, 
over this country — from Maine to Louisiana, and to 
the West — and I speak advisedly on tliis point, after 
thorough and persistent trial of every imaginable ex- 
pedient in packing them, for the purpose — when I 
say that the vitality of eggs is endangered (more or 
less) by being transferred over long distances in the 
rough modes of conveyance we are obliged to forward 
them by. 

A city editor has lately stated that " baggage-smash- 
ing, as a fine art, has reached a high state of perfection 
in this country, and the skill, ingenuity and perseverance 
exhibited by railway employes in reducing the strongest 
built trunk to a liash of wood, leather and iron, must be 
highly encouraging to tlie trunk makers. A heavily 
timbered, iron clad, armor-plated trunk will only stand 
a two days' trip, and the handling of two or three of 
these railroad wreckers before it is reduced to old junk." 
And in the case of the writei' of the above, the contents 
of his stout trunk, " in fact the remains of everything of 
a perishable nature in it, attested the muscular energy 
and activity of the American baggage smasher," after a 
three days' trip. To the tender mercy of this unthink- 
ing, rough-an'-tumble fraternity, the party who furnishes 
eggs for incubation is obliged to entrust his parcels, and 
the resulting disappointment of the purchaser of these 
frail articles is so commonly known, almost in all direc- 
tions, as to require little further comment here. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 15 

Still, breeders are compelled to undertake to furnish 
eggs for incubation in this way, and purchasers buy them, 
and accept the attendant risk. Probably it is the best 
way of disseminating choice stock, as yet known to us ; 
and, since it is the only mode that can be made availa- 
ble, whereby the beginner who resides at a distance from 
the breeder of the particular fowls, or strain of blood he 
desires, can nowadays obtain eggs — the amateur must 
accept the situation, and get all the chickens he can out 
of his eggs thus transported. 

In some cases, I am aware, both from my own ex- 
perience in this matter, and that of other gentlemen, 
that eggs so sent from a long distance, do well. But I 
also know that both in forwarding and receiving eggs 
so conveyed, there is a percentage of average loss to 
the buyer, when in both instances I have known that the 
damaged eggs upon their receipt, were fresh and reliable 
upon sliipment — to and fro. 

But, as to the safety of transporting eggs, it is a point 
upon which the experience of l^reeders and dealers dif- 
fers. Mr. Tegetmeier, the leading English modern writer 
on poultry, says, " The extreme care sometimes bestow- 
ed on eggs, intended for incubation, is quite unneces- 
sary. The yolk is naturally so perfectly suspended, that 
injury cannot occur to it by any violence likely to be 
suffered by the Qgg^ short of actual breakage. Eggs 
have been hatched in England, that were laid in Ameri- 
ca. The vibration and shaking to which they have 
been submitted on the voyage, not having injured tlie 
delicate germ." And we observe upon the circulars of 



16 



burnham's new poultry-book ; 



many of our best breeders, the assurance that eggs can 
be shipped with safety to any distance, if properly pack- 
ed. One dealer recommends the following simple, but 
very good method, for a transportation-box for eggs. 
He says " it should be made of thin (half-inch) stuff, with 
twelve squares or partings inside it, three inches in the 
clear, each way ; to be fifteen inches long, by twelve 
wide. This will afford I'oom to bestow a dozen eggs, 
one to be placed on end, in each square by itself, in dry 
bran or screenings, with a thick layer of the same at the 
top and bottom ; the box to be at least eight inches in 
depth, inside. Fasten the top securely, and the eggs 
thus packed can not be broken, unless the box is smash- 
ed. The eggs in the box thus arranged, and entirely 
surrounded by the bran, will appear as follows — before 
filling up, and securing the top down." And this cor- 
respondent recommends that " only one dozen eggs be 
so packed in a box. If more are ordered, increase the 
number of boxes." 









o 








o 





















Like other fanciers, I am constantly applied to for 
eggs for hatching, the writers invariably proposing to 
" take the risk " of moving them. In such cases, I 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 17 

supply orders. Other breeders send their choice eggs 
ill all directions, and it is of course understood that the 
buyer takes what risk there may be, in this perhaps 
absolutely necessary way of distributing eggs abroad, 
from choice stock. 

Tlie best mode I have ever yet known for paclcing 
eggs, to be thus transported, is a very simple one. 
First, wrap each egg separately in common soft brown 
paper ; tlien place the eggs end-wise up, apart from 
each other, in coarse bran, or shorts ; witli a generous 
supply of the latter at top, bottom, and sides of the box. 
Eggs thus packed, upright, with the larger ends placed 
downwards, in fine hay cut very short, will bear trans- 
portation very well. If your express-man is not a con- 
firmed " baggage smasher," and handles the box " with 
care," as should be indicated always upon the outside 
of the box, eggs ought to go tlirough, with an approxi- 
mation to safety from breaking, or having the life 
shaken out of them. I simply say, liowever, that, too 
often, they do not escape injury, in transitu ; and 1 
merely mention the fact, which is patent. I am lately 
informed that Mr. Van Winkle of Greenville, N. J. and 
one or two other breeders have invented a " safety- 
box " to ship eggs in ; said to be a good contrivance. 

Having procured your eggs, however, you will pro- 
ceed to set them under your hen, or hens, which it is 
pre-supposed you have in readiness for the purpose, 
— and in choosing a sitter, I have found that a six- 
pound hen of any variety, is better than one that is 
heavier. Your large hens (if you have any) of the 



18 burnham's new poultry-book ; 



1 



Chinese varieties, for example, are too clumsy and heavy, 
usually. The Asiatic varieties are admirable sitters 
nevertheless, and there is no better hen-mother known 
than the Brahma or Cochin fowl. But they are awk- 
ward and innocently reckless, both with their eggs and 
towards newly-hatched chickens — easily breaking the 
former in their nests, and killing the latter, by tramp- 
ling upon them, in their infancy. 

So I advise that the setting hen, for choice, should 
be smaller, nimbler, and more careful — as the common 
barn-yarn fowl is, always. Let her be a short legged, 
compact-built, well feathered bird, of five or six pound's 
weight ; and, out of nine to eleven eggs, you will get 
more living mature chickens, on the twenty-first day 
of her sitting, than with thirteen eggs under the heavy 
Shanghae, or Brahma, which you imagine " can cover 
that number so much better " than the lesser-sized 
bird ; and when the chicks break shell, the smaller fowl 
will not tramp them to death — before they can stand 
up, when freed. 

Obtain your eggs for setting, (or supply them your- 
self,) from the newest laid ones, invariably. If they 
come from your own fowls, be careful, while they are 
accumulating, that you ke^p them dry, free from damp 
air, and from all unnecessary motion in handling^ at any 
time. The internal fibres, air-bag, and yolk of an egg 
are a much more delicate conformation and substance 
than most persons imagine ; and it is a very easy thing 
to injure the Qgg^ for liatching, by roughly sliaking, 
jarring it, or turning it over, carelessly. If, as you 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 19 

gather 3'our eggs, daily, you stand them upon end in 
clean dry bran, leaving them thus till you want them 
for setting, you will find it advantageous. 

Discard all over-sized, as well as undersized eggs, 
for incubating. The monster-eggs frequently dropped 
by Chinese or Bi'ahma fowls, are always double-yolked, 
and useless. The diminutive eggs, (laid at the end 
of the litter, usually,) are yolkless, or imperfect, and 
will not hatch. 'Select medium-sized roundish eggs, 
smooth-shelled ; and never believe in the nonsense that 
some wise-acres would impose on you, as to the sex of 
eggs. The man doesn't live who can tell accurately 
from a look at the egg, whether it contains the germ 
of a cock or a pullet. 

As a rule, you will not set a hen before the last of 
February, or middle of March — unless 3^ou chance to 
have a broody hen a few days earlier, and can set her 
under glass — in a hot-house, for instance. In any 
other case, the eggs will more than likely be chilled, 
upon a cold day, while the hen leaves them to feed — 
and thus your whole clutch is ruined. But supposing 
you set the hen when the weather favors, you place 
nine to eleven fresh eggs under her, in a box twelve or 
fourteen inches square and deep — forming the nest 
(slightly concave in the centre,) at the bottom of the 
box, with a thick sod, the grass side upward ; upon 
wliich scatter a thin layer of fine fresh hay — and let 
Iter alone, from the hour you place her. 

The nest should be in a moderately darkened situa- 
tion, where the hen will not be disturbed, or intruded 



20 burnham's new poultry-book; 

upon by any other fowl. If she is confined to restricted 
limits, so much the better, since a good setting hen does 
not care to roam away far from her nest. Let her food 
and fresh clean water be near at hand always, with a 
box of dry ashes, also, to ' roll ' lierself in, when she 
comes off to feed, and she will thus keep herself compar- 
atively free from vermin ; which oftentimes so annoys 
the sitter as to drive her from her nest before her time 
is out. The nearer you can approach in this process to 
what the fowl will do, naturally — if she " steals her 
nest " — the better success you will meet with, nine 
times in ten, remember. 

There is no mystery or difficulty in hatching chickens 
with a good hen-mother. She should be left to attend 
to her business by herself, after you have thus provided 
her with eggs, nest, food, water and ash-box, and a 
quiet situation ; and she ivill do this, if you do not dis- 
turb her. For conveniences of sitting-coops, nests, etc., 
the reader is referred to another chapter, hereafter. 

The hen will sit three weeks. On the twenty-first 
day after she commences — if she has not been disturb- 
ed in the meantime — you may expect to hear tlie piping- 
peep of the newly-hatched chicks, always hoping that 
you will get the same number that you furnished her the 
eggs for. If they were fresh and in order you may find 
as many. If you don't find but half or two-thirds this 
number, be satisfied with these, and try again. 

A good plan in setting your hens, is, to set two or 
three the same day and hour. Then put all the chicks 
you get under one or two mothers, and take the odd one 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 21 

away. If tlie chicks are put under a strange mother 
within twentv-four hours after she hatches her e«i>;s, she 
will adopt them ordinarily, without any trouble — and 
she will brood and rear a dozen or fourteen chicks as 
well as half a dozen. 

On the twentieth day from the sitting, the chicken 
presents the following appearance before the breaking 
of the shell — as he lies, fully developed, in " his native 
element." 




On the twenty-first day, he will burst the bonds that 
confine him, and come forth — if left to himself. Only 
in very exceptional cases should you interfere at the birth 
of the new comers. Some writers advise, if the shell is 
too thick, that the chick should be assisted to get out, on 
the twenty-first day, but recommend extreme caution, 
lest it be killed with kindness at this critical moment. 
Another author says, " if you attempt to release the 
chick from the shell, do it only by slow degrees, remov- 
ing a fragment at a time, only once in twelve, or twenty 



liours." 



22 burnham's new poultry-book. 

As a general thing I recommend that you let the 
struggling chick alone, severely. The membrane which 
confines him, is so delicately threaded with blood-vessels, 
that the breaking of the shell, prematurely, and especial- 
ly by an inexperienced hand, is almost certain to cause 
the young bird to bleed to death — even if released. 
Don't handle them ; don't fuss with them. But let Na- 
ture and tlie hen-mother work, without your bungling 
aid, and all will go well at the hatching-time. 

The tender solicitude exliibitcd by some amateurs, 
at the hatching time, is altogether gratuitous and un- 
necessary. Let your hen alone, and, if she is good for 
any thing, she will much better and more skillfully bring 
her little ones out of ordinary difficulty — than you and 
she together can — rely on it. 



^'=^^ 





CHAPTER III. 

FEEDING AND REARING YOUNG BROODS. 

The chickens having now shown themselves, still let 
them alone for four-and-twenty hours, at tlie least. They 
do not want any thing to eat for one day after hatching. 
They should then be removed to a clean, fresli place, 
and the contents of the old nest should be destroyed, 
since after a hen has sat upon it three weeks, it will 
necessarily be occupied more or less with vermin, under 
the best of circumstances. 

At first the chicks may be fed advantageously for a 
day or two, upon stale soalved bread, or a hard-boiled egg, 
broken up fine ; and after the third day, for a week, on 
oatmeal or barley meal — allowing chem to run with the 
hen, in the sunshine, if the weather is fine. But chick- 
ens are arc very delicate, and sensitive to cold at this 
age — of any breed. So that care should be taken to 
have them sheltered from winds and rain till they are 
four or five weeks old. The season is then furtlier ad- 
23 



24 burnham's new poultry-book. 

vanced, (if they were hatched in March) and while the 
weather has become warmer, they have grown much 
stronger, too. After this time the hen will take care of 
them, if shehave a good range, for some weeks, with the 
aid of a regular morning allowance of barley-meal, oat- 
meal, or other soft feed. 

At from six weeks to three months old, the first down 
will drop from chickens of the Eastern varieties — as 
the Brahmas, Cochins, or Shanghaes ; and most of their 
little plump bodies will oftentimes be, for weeks, bare of 
feathers. With other varieties, this does not usually 
occur. If they are not hatched too early in the spring, 
however, the weather will have become so comfortable 
that their growth is not retarded perceptibly in conse- 
quence of this natural fleecing. 

If the breeder has the convenience for such an ar- 
rangement, he will find the advantage of having previous- 
ly prepared a low-roofed lean-to, against the side of a 
tight board fence, or along the barn-side, facing the 
south or southeast, open at one or both ends, and slant- 
ing from a height of four feet, say, at the back, down to 
two feet in front — four or five feet wide. Chickens will 
run under such a shelter, which is ample to protect them 
from cold whids, rain storms, or the heat of the sun, at 
times. If the roof is battened, over the board-seams, it 
will be sufficiently tight too for the purpose ; to be used, 
of course, only in spring and summer. In the very 
early season, a better arrangement, however, is, to cover 
such a roof with common hot-bed sashes, beneath which 
the young chickens will huddle, in raw weather, and 







\l\ .% 




I 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 25 

keep themselves very comfortable during the chilly 
and rainy days. 

The hen-mother should be permitted to run with her 
brood until they are old enough to take care of them- 
selves, ordinarily. A hen occupies from two and a half 
to three months, (sometimes three and a half months,) 
from the time when she commences to sit, to the day 
that she naturally quits her chickens. Thus, in the 
season when her eggs are most useful for reproduction, 
and at the time most generally favorable for laying — 
during which period she might lay thirty to forty eggs, 
at least — your valuable hen, if used for a sitter (in- 
stead of an ordinary fowl, as I recommend,) will have 
given you no eggs, as a rule ; though some fowls, of 
the Chinese varieties, will begin to lay within a month 
after hatching a brood. Generally, however, this is 
the exception. And for this important reason, I also 
advise that you do not set your heavy hens ; but " break 
them up," when broody, and bring them round to lay- 
ing again, as soon as possible. To this particular 
point, I shall refer again, hereafter. 

From- the shell, allow your chickens all the range you 
can afford them. You will observe that they are con- 
stantly on the alert, if unconfined. They pick up — 
with the mother's aid — great quantities of animal food, 
insects, worms, etc ; in the pasture, upon the ground, 
or on the lawn ; and, until they come to be three or 
four months old, they do no harm, even in your garden. 
With ample range, fresh clear water, and shelter from 
cold rains and winds, young chickens will thrive, amaz- 
ingly, with little other care. 



26 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

Up to four or five months old, jou will have found 
if you have a grass patch, or small pasture in which 
they can have run freely, (and if this be larger, all the 
better,) that your young chickens have needed very 
little attention beside what the hen-mother has given 
them, save the one regular feeding daily. They have 
been very easily kept — indeed ! And this is because 
you have left them alone, carefully. 

If you have no such conveniences as the grass-patch, 
or range mentioned, then you will be obliged, from the 
commencement, to resort to artificial feeding and care ; 
which is far more troublesome, more expensive, and 
more uncertain, in results. 

In such case, it is indispensable that you provide for 
your chicks such food and materials as most nearly 
approximate to the character of the other, and more 
natural mode, in rearing them. This can be done, of 
course — and is done, in thousands of instances, every 
year by fanciers. 

But th^' should be supplied with green food — fresh 
pulled grass, lettuce or cabbage leaves chopped up, 
newly cut sods, occasionally, and plenty of broken 
mortar, oyster-shells, ground bone, etc. ; and, two or 
three times a week, with animal meat, or scraps, with 
boiled potatoes, and cooked meal, alternately. And for 
general food, a mixture of oats, barley, and cracked 
corn, and rice. They should have a gravelled or earth 
floor to run upon — if confined, altogether; and in 
every case, the utmost care must be exercised in keep- 
ing them cleanly, and supplying them with plenty of 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 27 

fresh water. An ample box of ashes, with a pound or 
two of pulverized sulphur mixed through it, should 
stand where they can resort to it at all times ; in which 
they will quickly learn to roll, and thus cleanse them- 
selves from vermin. But no artificial means have as 
yet been discovered, by which chickens can so well, 
so healthily, or so easily be reared — as through the 
more natural mode of permitting them to enjoy a gen- 
erous run, in their young days, out of doors, when the 
weather favors. 

Specimen pullets of the Brahma, the Buff, or the 
Partridge Cochins have been known to commence laying 
at four and a half to five months old. Generally, how- 
ever, they do not begin to lay till they are six or seven 
months old, and frequently older. I have found that 
this depends a good deal upon the time when the birds 
are hatched. For instance, early March chickens will 
ordinarily begin to lay in the fall. May chickens rare- 
ly lay until the following spring — the cold months of 
December and January being unfavorable to their de- 
velopment. 

But, at five to six months old, the flocks should be 
separated. You will generally find among your broods 
a super-abundance of male chickens, in breeding the 
large varieties ; at least, such has been my experience. 
These must be put into a coop or enclosure by them- 
selves, and reared together, without interruption, to 
keep them from becoming quarrelsome and trouble- 
some, until you can appropriately dispose of them. 
There should be no pullets in the same enclosure with 
these surplus male birds. 



28 burnham's new poultry-book; 

Your pullets may be kept separately, also, if con- 
venient, until they mature. Then you should select 
those you intend to breed from, and put them with your 
old fowls, if you have any. If not, exchange one or 
two of your young cocks for a full year-old male, of 
different parentage, to proceed with ; for, to obtain 
good chickens from your young pullets, you must avoid 
breeding them to young males of the same brood or 
age as themselves ; and, in any event, a two year old 
male is better to breed to your young pullets. 

Your first litters of eggs from these chicken-pullets 
will come in the fall, or winter. These you had better 
not set, if you could ; but wait for their second litters, 
in early spring ; to be set in February, or March, 
as before. The hatching will be better, the second 
chickens will come larger and stronger, and the time 
for carrying them through the next year will be better, 
than if you " force the season," and attempt to get 
chickens from the earlier laid, first litters, of your last 
year's pullets — however good such bird may be. 

In reply to an old man in Michigan, who applied to 
the American Institute Farmer's Club for information 
about poultry raising, Warren Leland of the N. Y. 
Metropolitan Hotel answered as follows. The inquirer 
says " failing health and declining years -make it neces- 
sary for me to give up the more laborious pursuits of 
life, but light exercise for mind and body is indispensa- 
ble. Would the raising of poultry within 100 miles 
of a city market afford a profitable remuneration for 
the time and management required for the business ? 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 29 

How much land, and what kind of soil, sandy, gravelly, 
or clay mixed, would be required for 100 fowls (hens 
and cocks) ? should it be adjacent to a stream of water, 
or would a living spring do as well ? What portion 
of the ground should be in trees, shrubs, and grass ? 
How many could two aged persons care for, and what 
return might reasonably be expected from 100 fowls in 
chickens and eggs ? " 

Mr. Leland answers, " if this gentleman will come 
to my place, 25 miles north of New York, at Rye 
Station, I will show him how I manage my poultry 
yards. I have found that for every hundred fowls you 
must give up at least an acre. Rough land is as good 
as any. Hens naturally love the bush ; and I lop young 
trees, but leave a shred by which they live a year or 
more. These form hiding places, and retreats for 
them. In such places they prefer to lay. I have great 
success, and it depends on three or four rules, by ob- 
serving which I believe this old gentleman in Michigan 
can make a good living by raising hens and turkeys. 

" I give my fowls gi^eat range. Eighteen acres be- 
long to them exclusively. Then the broods have the 
range of another big lot, and the turkeys go half a 
mile or more from the house. The eighteen acres of 
poultry yard is rough land, and of little use for tillage. 
It has a pond in it and many rocks, and bushes, and 
weeds, and sandy places, and ash heaps, and lime, and 
bones, and grass, and a place which I plow up to give 
them worms. 

" When the hen has commenced to sit, I take her 



30 burnham's new poultry-book; 

box, throw out the straw and earth, let it be out in the 
sun and rain a few days, and give it a good coat of 
wliitewash on both sides. In winter, when it is very 
cold, I have an old stove in their house, and keep the 
warmth above freezing. There is also an open fireplace 
where I build a fire in cool wet days. They dry them- 
selves, and when the fire goes out, there is a bed of 
ashes for them to wallow in. In Summer and Winter 
my hens have all the lime, ashes, and sand they want. 

" Another reason why I have such luck is because my 
poultry yard receives all the scraps from the Metropoli- 
tan hotel. Egg making is no easy work, and hens will 
not do much of it without high feed. They need just 
what a man who works requires — wheat, bread, and 
meat. I believe in feeding it to hens." 

Mr. Leland prefers the Brahmas, light and dark, and 
changes his roosters every spring — an excellent plan. 
He gets plenty of chickens and eggs, always. 

When purchasing eggs originally, (from which you 
contemplate raising a brood or broods of chicks), urge 
it upon the party who furnishes you such eggs to begin 
with, that he forwards you the product of different fam- 
ilies of fowls. This can conveniently be done, by the 
larger dealers, and there are plenty of honorable and 
reliable breeders, in this country — named in the suc- 
ceeding pages of this volume — who will thus accom- 
modate you. From such chickens you can proceed to 
breed, confidently, without the cliange of males, just 
suggested, if you prefer this mode ; since the eggs are 
furnished you from fowls in no wise related, though an 
older cock than your pullets is preferable. 



1 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 31 

Many breeders make this a " point of honor "with 
their amateur patrons, for their own subsequent credit, 
when the buyer sliall come to raise chickens fi'om the 
stock thus sold, by them. But if eggs cannot thus be 
had, unless the change in the male bird is made, at the 
outset^ as I have proposed, the progeny will surely de- 
teriorate ; the next generation of chicks will come more 
or less uneven, weakly, imperfect, or deformed — as 
certainly as this vicious system of " in-and-in breeding " 
(among relations) is attempted. I insist upon this, be- 
cause I know of what I am writing ; and I have tried 
this experiment, thoroughly — to my cost — in the past 
five and twenty years of my poultry-breeding. 

The French peasants have a novel mode of feasting 
their fowls, and at the same time of destroying the com- 
mon grub-worm, with which in some districts, their land 
is literally " alive " in early spring, and of which pest I 
observed the farmer there thus rids himself. When the 
ploughing is being done, a large coop, or box is placed 
upon wheels, and filled with advanced chickens and 
fowls, forty, fifty, or a hundred in each ; and this vehi- 
cle is taken to the newly ploughing field, and follows 
the open furrows. The fowls are let out of the peram- 
bulating coops as soon as the ground is turned over, for 
a given space, and they are quickly busy in gobbling up 
the myriads of grub-worms thrown to the surface by the 
plough — gorging themselves with these rare pickings, 
of which they seem inordinately fond. 

The coop is moved on, as the birds advance behind 
the ploughmen, and the fowls feed constantly, all day 



32 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

long, in this way ; devouring the fat grubs with intense 
gusto, and appearing never satisfied so long as there is 
a stray worm in sight. Thus the French paysan clears 
his grounds previous to planting, very effectually, from 
these destructive and pestiferous devourers of the root- 
lings of tender plants. These grubs breed in countless 
numbers in the fields of Normandy and Nivernais. At 
sunset, the fowls voluntarily re-enter the trundled coops, 
and are thus returned to their home-quarters, or are 
kept confined till next day, for a continuance of this 
duty, which appears to be rare enjoyment to them. 

As to the general /eet? of fowls, however, I have often 
thought of the counsel of a noted patent-medicine vender, 
who, in his advice to patients venturing to take his nos- 
trum, thus briefly alludes to the course of diet they 
should observe, meanwhile ; " Eat the best you can get, 
and plenty of it." This simple recommendation is per- 
tinent. I have found that poultry thrives equally well 
with humans, in this respect, and I both give to my 
own fowls, (and commend the rule to others,) *' the 
best to be liad, and plenty of it.'' 

Variety in feed is desirable. In this corn-growing 
land of ours, that article seems the handiest and is cer- 
tainly the heartiest, for fowls. But corn alone will soon 
sicken the healthiest fowl in the world. Barley, oats, 
screenings, cracked corn, rice, sun-flower seed, (easily 
grown) and whole wheat, mixed, for dry food ; and 
scalded Indian meal-dough, bran-dough, boiled potatoes, 
and the scraps from your table, with green and animal 
food for fowls that are confined without a range, will 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 33 

keep them in a good healthy, prospering condition, 
usually. 

I have practised feeding at regular intervals, and I 
have left dry food in the feed-boxes, continually, to 
which fowls had access, to eat of when they desired. 
The latter mode is less trouble. But the better plan is 
to give them a variety, changing the fare weekly — and 
let them have enough of the best, always. 





CHAPTER IV. 

PUEELY BRED ONE YEAR OLD FOWLS, AND UPWARDS. 

Id our preceding chapters, we have submitted general 
directions as to selecting eggs, and the hatching, and 
raising of chickens. We will now look to the birds at 
from approaching a year old, and forwards, and offer 
our ideas in relation to breeding fowls, purely. 
34 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 35 

A youug pullet will lay, in her first litter, ordina- 
rily, fifteen to twenty eggs. Then she ceases, for a 
short time. Usually, she will not show signs of being 
" broody " (or desirous to sit,) until after laying the 
second litter. Some varieties of fowls do not incline 
to sit, at all ; others but rarely ; and others persistently ; 
until you gratify this natural desire, or " break them 
up." 

After laying the second or third litter, these last 
named — which include the Chinese varieties, notably — 
will stick to the nest, brood upon stones, crouch on 
nothing^ and beat you out, unless you suffer them to 
have their way. As has been hinted, already, these 
heavy birds are not so good for setting, as fowls of 
lesser weight and size ; and therefore they should be 
broken up, as well as for the other reason given, name- 
ly, that their eggs are too valuable to take them from 
duty for three months, in the best laying season of the 
year. 

Fowls at about a year old, of this class, will make 
themselves most troublesome to you ; and various strat- 
agems are resorted to by the inexperienced, to prevent 
them from sitting, or to induce them to return to lay- 
ing, instead. Most of these plans are cruel, or futile ; 
but I have found that placing broody hens in an open 
bottomless pen, or coop, say four feet by six, and four 
feet high — constructed with a lean-to roof to shed i\\Q 
rain, slatted on all four sides with laths, or palings, 
and set upon the grass, or ground, with nothing what- 
ever inside it but your broody hen, or hens — except 



36 burnham's new poultry-book : 






the roost — will serve to cure them of this sitting fever 
quicker, witli less trouble, and surer, than any mode 1 
ever tried. If a vigorous young crower be put into the 
pen with her (or them) it is no drawback. But in such 
a coop she or they will go to; roost, at night, and soon 
forget the broody inclination. » 

If she has no nest, no eggs in sight to sit on, no food 
or water, except what you place for her convenience 
outside of the coop, she will shortly get over her fever 
and go to laying again. But, shutting hens in darkened 
barrels, ducking them in cold water, or tying them out 
without shelter to " cool them off," is both brutal and 
inefficacious. If taken in season^ when they first show 
symptoms of broodiness, and dealt with as I have sug- 
gested, you will have little trouble in bringing them 
round to laying again, in a few days, generally. If the 
eggs of such hens are not more than ordinarily valu- 
able to you, at the time mentioned, then gratify this 
natural maternal instinct, by all means. But when 
eggs from " fancy " breeds of fowls cost (or will com- 
mand) five to ten dollars a dozen, the feasibility of the 
plan proposed, on this point, I think will be apparent. 

As to the capacity of a maturing hen to produce eggs, 
this quality differs in different breeds — some being 
more prolific than others. Accounts are published of 
the actual laying of two eggs in one day, by certain in- 
dividual fowls of extraordinary breeds ; and it is seri- 
ously stated by Eichardson, a noted English writer upon 
Poultry, that the " Cochin China is a gigantic bird, 
very prolific, frequently laying two, and sometimes three 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 37 

eggs in a day." In support of this assertion, Mr. Rich- 
ardson subsequently refers as his authority for this state- 
ment (which was called in question), to the " Rt. Hon. 
Mr. Shaw, Recorder of Dublin, to Mr. Waters, Her Ma- 
jesty's poultry-keeper, and to J. Joseph Nolan, Esq., of 
Dublin." I think the author now quoted might have 
added to the list of his authorities for this statement, 
with slight research among the old-time doggerel 
writers, for I remember the couplet in the troubled peas- 
ant's song — 

" Some one has stole our speckled hen, 
I wish they'd let her be ; 
For oft she laid two eggs a day, 
And Sundays she laid three ! " 

And I have no doubt, if there ever was one at all, 
that this was the original hen that " laid two eggs a 
day." I have lived to handle and experiment rather 
. extensively with fowls in this country, during the past 
three decades, and, though I do not say that any of the 
above mentioned parties may not have known the fact 
stated, yet I must candidly add that 1 never saw the 
hen that laid two or three eggs in a day, as yet, and I 
am still in doubt on this point. 

Purity of blood — as nearly as it can be attained — is 
very desirable. A vast deal has been written and said 
upon this point, and we have in this country at the 
present time, a great many strains of blood, imported 
from the yards and walks of known good breeders of 
poultry in England and France. When the chickens 
from the product of these strains (in the second and 



38 buenham's new poultry-book ; 

third descent) reach the age of from eight months to a 
year old, such young fowls will show for themselves, in 
feathers, form and features, how pure may have been 
the stock from which they originated ! 

At the age when it is advisable to put your fresh 
stock together, for breeding, care should be taken, (if 
you desire only to have pure descendants,) that no male 
bird, save one of the same breed with the pullets, shall 
ever have had access to them. The theory advanced by 
some writers, to the effect that it is necsssary to allow 
the male bird to consort with the female only for the 
time being, to insure due impregnation, and the subse- 
quent production of the variety you may thus attempt to 
breed, is utterly fallacious. If the cock used is of the 
identical variety with the pullets, the changing of such 
individual male bird, from time to time, is an advantage. 
But to place light Brahma cocks in the same enclosure 
with Buff or Partridge Cochin pullets, for instance — at 
all — after the latter approach maturity, is fatal to the 
absolute purity of the progeny of such pullets, ever after- 
wards. 1 set this down as a certain fact — drawn from 
repeated experiment during my thirty years' experience 
in breeding. And at this very writing, I nieet with the 
following absurd sentence in a communication to the 
N. Y. Bulletin, over the signature of a correspondent 
who usually w^rites well o\\ other points, but who says, 
*' I am convinced that there is no harm in letting all va- 
rieties mix during the fall and winter^ and separating 
them a month before saving their eggs for setting." 

This advice is certainly erroneous ; for the sequence 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 39 

I liave noted follows, invariably, in the multiplying of 
amj kind of live stock, and is never-failing. Let me 
illustrate this point. 

Several years ago, a gentleman in Newfoundland 
sent me a large thorough-bred native bitch dog, which 
I bred for ten years. The first three years' litters of 
pups were bred from a fine male native Newfoundland, 
owned by a neighbor, and the progeny were so far 
uniformly perfect in color, long silky hair, form, and 
known characteristics of this notable race of dogs. 
The fourth year, I crossed her with a large Russian 
mastiff; and got a clutch of superior pups — with the 
curly hair, shorter nose, more upright ear, and the 
absence of the web-foot, etc., a very satisfactory cross ^ 
but no longer the " pure " Newfoundland. I bred that 
mother six years afterwards, consecutively, to the origi- 
nal Newfoundland male, belonging to my neighbor ; and 
never ^ in a single instance, did this bitch bring a litter 
subsequently to the fourth year, some of which did not 
clearly show the marks, in feature, curly hair, short 
nose, small ear, or absence of the web — belonging to 
the Russian mastiff 1 had bred but once to her ; and 
her last litter, born four years after that mastiff was 
dead, exhibited this taint more strikingly, than had any 
previous clutch of pups she ever gave birth to. 

So it will follow with fowls ; and through this care- 
less way of allowing a male bird of a different race or 
variety — in color, or character — to consort with pul- 
lets, at all, come the imperfections so commonly met 
with, eyerywhere, among the fowls produced from what 



40 burnham's new poultry-book; 

are deemed pure breeds and blood ; in support of which 
principle, I offer another instance, in point. Twelve 
years ago, I purchased from a gentleman in Andover, 
Mass., a young imported Alderney bull, which I put 
upon my place in Melrose, and bred but once to a fine 
Durham heifer, in her third season, she having been 
previously bred to a full-blooded Durham. Her third 
calf was so strongly marked in color, and ultimately 
came to maturity so like the father, that she has since 
been mistaken scores of times for a full-blooded true 
Alderney cow, with the single exception that she was 
over-sized. The mother was never served by an Alder- 
ney bull, again — but for several years afterwards was 
bred only to the Durham. Yet her subsequent progeny, 
up to her death, two years ago, in every instance plainly 
showed either the fine muzzle, the deer-face, the fawn 
color, the delicate limb, the small ear, or the silky coat 
of the Alderney^ to which she was bred but once in her 
life, as I know. 

Thus with poultry. In scores of experimental cases, 
I have seen the effects of this contamination in form, col- 
or, and characteristics, when varieties of fowls have been 
permitted promiscuously to run together, and " mix 
during the fall and winter ; " and, though there may 
not be " any harm " in such a course, yet if the breed- 
er's purpose is to produce really pure bloods, he will 
find that which I have here recommended is true, to 
the letter — with fowls, as with any other kind of stock ; 
and that the progeny of chickens, bred in the other 
careless way, will surely, in future generations, come 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 41 

more or less like the cattle of Jacob, of old — " ringed, 
streaked, or speckled." 

Another instance. In 1854, 1 purchased on ship- 
board, at Central Wharf, Boston, six Broad-tailed (Aus- 
tralian) sheep — two bucks and four ewes. The pecu- 
liar characteristic of these animals is known to stock- 
breeders. Its tail is shaped like a flat thin pork-ham, 
depending from the small end ; and, when cooked, this 
is said to be a very desirable edible — nicer and more 
succulent than so much tenderloin beef. In proportion 
to the body of this kind of sheep its caudal appendage 
is very large, and forms a marked and distinctive feature 
of this breed. I had three fine Cotswold ewes, which I 
imported from Canada at that time, on my place in 
Melrose, and I crossed them all with one of the Broad- 
tailed bucks. The lambs these ewes dropped next sea- 
son, each came of good size and very like the Cotswold 
mother, with the exception that every one of them had 
the wide, thick, pear-shaped, heavy tail. I sold the six 
broad-tail sheep to a gentleman in Louisiana ; and, a 
year afterwards I sent the three Cotswold ewes, with a 
fine heavy buck of their own breed, to Mr. P. Ducayet, 
of New Orleans. These three sheep were then with 
lamb, by this Cotswold buck. When the progeny were 
born, (upon Mr. D's place, at Bayou St. John,) two of 
the three lambs came with the broad tail, and the other 
resembled the Cotswold, more accurately. The gentle- 
man to whom I sent these sheep wrote me subsequently, 
that " the young ones were of good size," but he '' found 
two out of the three were deformed^ having a monstrous 



■ 42 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

I 

bunch at the extremity of their tails ! which he could 
not account for." (He never saw one of the broad-tail | 
breed of sheep at all.) But this occurrence was one of 
interest to me, and I explained the matter to him — 
though at the time I had not had sufficient experience to ; 
suspect what so certainly followed. He bred these Cots- * 
wolds together, three years afterwards ; and more than 
half his lambs came similarly " deformed," showing the ! 
broad flat tail of the other buck, to which they had 
never been bred but once, to my positive knowledge. | 

In an able article on the principles of breeding Do- 
mestic Animals, by S. L. Goodale, of Maine, that gentle- 
man states that " a pure Aberdeenshire heifer, the prop- 
erty of a farmer in Forgue, was served with a pure 
Teeswater bull, by which she had a fine cross calf. The 
folloiving season the same cow was served with a pure 
Aberdeenshire bull, but the product was in appearance 
a cross-bred calf, which at two years old had long horns ; 
the parents were both hornless. A flock of ewes be- 
longing to Dr. W. Wells, in the island of Grenada, were 
served by a ram procured for the purpose. The ewes 
were all white and woolly ; the ram was quite different 
— of a chocolate color, and hairy like a goat. Tiie 
progeny were of course crosses, but bore a strong re- 
semblance to the male parent. The next season Dr. 
Wells obtained a ram of precisely the same breed as the 
ewes, to whom they were all bred, but the progeny show- 
eel distinct marks of resemblance to the former ram, in 
color, hair, &c. The same thing occurred on neighbor- 
ing estates under like circumstances." Numerous other 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 43 

instances might be stated, if space would permit, and 
not a few might be given showing that the same rule 
holds in the human species, of which a single one will 
suffice here : " A young woman residing in Edinburg, 
and born of white parents, but whose mother previous to 
her marriage bore a mulatto child, by a negro servant, ex- 
hibits distinct traces of the negro. Dr. Simpson, whose 
patient at one time the young woman was, recollects 
being struck with the resemblance, and noticed particu- 
ly that the hair had the qualities characteristic of the 
negro." 

Mr. James McGillivray, a well known Scotch Veter- 
inary Surgeon, thus lately expresses his opinion in refer- 
ence to this matter. He argues sensibly that " when once 
a pure animal of any breed, has been pregnant to an 
animal of a different breed, such pregnant animal ^s a 
cross forever, incapable of producing pure progeny of 
any breed." And Mr. McG. adds that " many agricul- 
turalists are familiar to a degree that is annoying to 
them, with these facts, finding that after breeding 
crosses, their cows, though served with bulls of their 
own breed, i/ield crosses still, or rather mongrels ; that 
they were already impressed with the idea of contamin- 
ation of blood, as the cause of the phenomenon ; and 
that the doctrine intuitively commended itself to their 
minds as soon as stated, etc." Many years ago there were 
in the Kennebec valley a few polled or hornless cattle. 
They were not particularly cherished, and gradually 
diminished in numbers. Mr. Payne Wingate shot the 
last animal of this breed, (a bull calf or a yearling,) 



44 burnham's new poultry-book; 



ji 



5 



mistaking it in the dark, for a bear. During thirty-five 
years subsequently, all the cattle upon his farm had 
horns ; but, at the end of that time, one of his cows 
produced a calf, which grew up without horns, and Mr. 
Wingate said it was in all respects the exact image ofj 
the first bull of the breed ever brouglit there. And witl 
a few more veritable illustrations, I will leave this in- 
teresting subject for those who deem it '' no harm to 
allow their fowls of different breeds to run together, and 
mix, during the fall and winter,'' to consider and ex- 
periment with, at their leisure. 

Some eighteen years ago, I imported from Mr. Nolan, 
of Dublin, and Mr. Baker of London, five or six differ- 
ent clutches of fine Madagascar (or Lop-eared) Rabbits. 
I built a house expressly for breeding these then popu- 
lar pets in, and was highly successful with them, for 
some years — when I disposed of my whole stock, and 
gave up that trade. A member of my family had a 
trio of nice pure white common (upright-eared) rabbits, 
which had been kept on the place, and remained there 
some time after all the others left. The two females 
had been bred to a smut-faced Madagascar buck, two or 
three times, before I sold out. The three common 
white short-eared rabbits were then bred together two 
seasons, and threw more than a dozen litters, after I 
had not had a male Madagascar on my premises for 
many months ; and through all that period of two years, 
neither of those two common white does — bred to the 
same white common buck, o^ili/ — ever had a litter of 
young, some one or more of which did not possess the 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 45 

long lop«ear, or lop-ears, which is the distinguishing 
feature of the Madagascar breed. Upon these actual, 
personally tried experiments, I build the theory I am 
now explaining. 

Mr. Darwin, an eminent English writer on cattle- 
breeding, says on this subject, " the reproductive system 
is highly susceptible to changes in the conditions of life ; 
but wliy^ (because this reproducing system is disturb- 
ed,) this or that part should vary more or less, we are 
profoundly ignorant. Yet, we can here and there catch 
a faint ray of light." And among these " faint rays " 
of light spoken of, is this important one, to wit — the 
clearly apparent influence of the male first having fruit- 
ful intercourse with the female, wpon her subsequent off- 
spring hy other males. Attention was directed to this 
subject in England by the following circunistances, re- 
lated by Sir Edward Home : A young chestnut mare, 
seven-eighths Arabian, belonging to the Earl of Morton, 
was covered in 1815 by a quagga, (a species of wild 
ass from Africa) and marked somewhat like a zebra. 
The mare was covered but once by the quagga, and 
gave birth to a hybrid, which had, as was expected, dis- 
tinct marks of the quagga in the shape of its head, black 
bars on the legs, shoulders, &c. In 1817, 1818, and 
1821, this same mare was covered by a fine black 
Arabian horse, and produced successively three colts ; 
and although she had not seen the quagga since 1816, 
they all bore his curious and unequivocal markings. 

Since the occurrence of this case, numerous others of 
a similar character have been observed. Mr. McGilli- 



46 buenham's new poultry-book ; 

vray says : " That in several foals in the royal stud at 
Hampton Court, j^ot by the horse " Actseon," there were 
unmistakable marks of the horse " Colonel." The dams 
of these foals were bred from by " Colonel " the previous 
year. A colt, the property of the Earl of Sheffield, 
got by " Laurel," so resembled another horse named 
" Camel," that it was asserted at Newmarket that he 
must have been got by " Camel." It was ascertained, 
however, that the mother of the colt bore a foal the 
previous year by " Camel." Alexander Morrison, Esq., 
of Bognie, had a fine Clydesdale mare, which, in 1843, 
was served by a Spanish ass, and produced a mule. 
She afterwards had a colt by a full bred horse, which 
bore a very marked likeness to a mule, and seen at a 
distance, every one sets it down at once as a mule ! His 
ears are nine inches long, his girth not quite six feet, 
and he stands above sixteen hands high. The hoofs are 
so long and narrow that tliere is a difficulty in shoeing 
them, and the tail is thin and scanty. He is a beast of 
indomitable energy, and highly prized by his owner." 

We are now discussing purity of blood, and these 
paragraphs are intended for fanciers and breeders who 
are contenders for this very desirable attainment, and 
process. In another place (see chapter on " Raising 
Poultry and Eggs for market, ^''^ we speak fully of the 
advantages of crossing good breeds of fowls — for tliis 
latter purpose. At present, however, we are consider- 
ing the best modes of producing and multiplying birds 
in their purity, as nearly as that laudable object may be 
attained. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 47 

I have mentioned the Chinese fowls, only, in this 
illustration ; but it matters nothing as to the variety you 
desire to keep and raise — purely. A clutch of young 
Black Spanish, Dominique, or Dorking pullets, permit- 
ted to run indiscriminately at large with one or more 
male bird, of these different varieties, when the chick- 
ens are coming to be seven to ten months old, will be 
irretrievably contaminated, for the rest of their lives ; 
and this course will render them useless for pure breed- 
ers — no matter Avhat variety of male bird you subse- 
quently, or exclusively, breed them to. And such pul- 
lets will never afterwards give you eggs from which 
you need expect thoroughly pure chickens. With a 
portion of the litters they produce, in some degree, or 
particular, will crop out this inevitable '^ cloven foot," 
sooner or later ; and to this carelessness in breeding 
and intermixture, in other lands — in China, Calcutta, 
Spain, France, and England — whence we obtain what 
is deemed pure blood, (because it comes here, often- 
times, directly from those countries,) is attributable 
much of the disappointment we experience, when we 
come to see what this " pure " stock produces, with us. 

"' Like produces like," I am aware. But I am now 
writing about what I understand, pretty well. I do not 
heed the theories, or half-tried experiments of neo- 
phytes, in this matter of poultry-breeding. And I aver 
that it is not a possible thing either to obtain or to 
breed, and keep our poultry stock pure, unless this 
rule of nature is strictly observed, as I have now aimed 
clearly to set it down. Croakers may say this is re- 



48 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

ducing the matter to a fine point. And so it is — je\ 
it is precisely so. 

Your pullets, at eight to twelve months old, are in 
order to commence to breed from. A two-jQuv old hen 
is in her prime, and will the second year, as a rule 
give you larger eggs, though not more of them, than 
during the first year. Fowls lay their litters out — say 
from one and a half to two and a half dozen eggs 
at a time — then cease laying for a while, and begin 
with another litter. If you breed your pullets uniform- 
ly to a cock of their own kind, from the outset, you 
will naturally get evenly colored, and formed chickens, 
similar to the parent stock, unless the originals have 
been contaminated, as I have hinted at. But, once you 
cross your pullets with a male bird of any other dis- 
tinct color or variety, I I'epeat it, 3^ou can never render 
such fowl available afterwards, as a j:»2^re breeder ; no 
matter how you may try experiments with her. 

A breeding-cock is better also at two-years old, than 
at one, even for your yearling pullets. But good birds 
of this age are not readily to be had, and so you must 
generally use the younger ones. If you have not per- 
mitted different kinds of fowls to run together (after 
your pullets had reached the age of five or six months,) 
you can place them with the cock that you desire to 
breed from, as mentioned in this chapter, and keep 
them thus, without change of the breed of the male ; 
and the eggs from such fowls will afford you very satis- 
factory results, when you come to get chickens from 
them, in this second generation from your purchases. 




No 4 DARK BRAHMA COCK, (by H Wier,) 

One of the first Trio sent to EiiRlaiul by O. V. Burnliam. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 49 

The strong blood of the Asiatic species exhibits it- 
self, coiitiimouslj, when bred straight through — with- 
out mixture — from year to year ; and in proof of this, 
we may point the reader to the '^ Brahma ^^ fowl, (so 
called, at present, by universal consent,) which I have 
bred since 1849, '50. The light variety of this long 
favorite fowl — than which none better, will, in my 
judgment, ever be produced in this goodly world — are 
to-day^ precisely, in a general way, what they were 
when I exhibited them at the Boston poultry-shows of 
1850, '51, '52, '53, and afterwards. 

The old Marsh stock of Shanghses, now called 
*' Partridge Cochins," (of which more hereafter,) have 
changed very little in the long years since 1849, when 
the importer originall}^ got those magnificent birds 
direct from China, through a Missionary friend there, 
and bred them clean and pure in West Roxbury for 
years, subsequently, to the admiration of us long-ago 
fanciers of the " largest, and finest race of domestic 
fowl ever brought into America — " as they were then 
described ; and of which identical stock I bred, and sent 
to England^ in 1853 to 185T, hundreds of choice sam- 
ples — from whose progeny, unquestionably come the 
beautiful birds which breeders in America are now re- 
ceiving back again ; these splendid specimens of " Par- 
tridge Cochins " that may be seen in the yards of 
many of our best fanciers, to-day ! 

There is no mistaking this variety, there is no mis- 
taking the light Brahma variety. They are always 
alike, always the same, when bred clearly and purely. 



50 burnham's new poultry-book. ^ 1 

So it is with other strains — as the purely bred Black 
Spanish, the Gueldres, the White Dorkings, the Leg- 
horns, the Dominiques, and others. But where you 
find any of these birds that are up to the standard, 
themselves, and from which are bred chickens like them 
in all particulars, you will be sure to find that the 
breeders of them have never ventured to indulge in the 
pastime of " letting all varieties mix during the fall 
and winter," or crossing them for experiment's sake, 
even during the laying of a single litter of eggs ; and 
such as these, only^ can be relied on, to answer the 
hopes and desires of fanciers of pure blooded fowls. 

Your young breeding fowls should enjoy the range 
spoken of, if convenient. If you are compelled to re- 
stx'ict them to limited accommodations, however, thenj 
remember that they should be amply supplied with the" 
greens, lime, gravel, fresh water, ash-box, and animal 
food already suggested. Without these — in confined 
quarters — your pullets will quickly drop soft-shelled 
eggs, (which are worthless for setting ;) and above all^ 
keep them as clear of the annoyance of vermin as 
possible. 

And now, apologizing for this perhaps too lengthy 
chapter on purity of blood, — we will proceed to con- 
sider some of the conveniences requisite to keeping 
these breeding fowls in good condition. 




CHAPTER y. 

POULTRY HOUSES AND NEEDFUL ACCOMMODATIONS. 

The fashion, dimensions, and proportions of fowl 
houses, pens, or coops, and the conveniences accorded 
to their poultry by different breeders and fanciers, are 
as varied as are the number of poultry-raisers in this 
country. Yet a good and sufficient domicil for these 
birds is, anywhere, a very simple affair, both in itself 
and its necessary appointments. 

Gentlemen-fanciers, who possess ample means, and 
who are ambitious to see their aviary in keeping with 
other costly buildings upon their choice country estates, 
can spend a deal of money in constructing their henery, 
and in its ornamentation, inside and outside. But gen- 
erally farmers and breeders do not care to indulge in 
this luxury, and are rightly content with what may be 
only needful and comely, for the comfort and conven- 
ience of their feathered stock. 
51 




4 



a: 

< 

« 1 

02 I 

Q - 

9a 






A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 53 

In England, many fine strnctnres may be seen, which 
are devoted to tlie use of chickens and pigeons — one of 
which is the elegant poultry-house and aviary of her 
British Majesty, Queen Victoria, which the author had 
tlie pleasure of visiting a few years since, which is lo- 
cated in! a quiet beautiful spot upon the " home farm " 
of this sovereign, on the margin of the great Park at- 
tached to Windsor Castle — a drawing of which we pre- 
sent on the opposite page. 

For many years, as is well known, both Her Majesty 
the Queen, and the late Royal Consort, Prince Albert 
during his life, were ardent admirers of poultry, and 
munificent patrons of the pleasant pursuit of chicken- 
raising, which M. de Reaumer dignifies as an " art ; " 
and it is also well known that the author of this vol- 
ume had the honor of presenting to her Majesty 
the first mature Brahma fowls ever seen in England ; 
in return for which the Queen kindly compliment- 
ed Mr. Burnham by sending him a superb copy of her 
portrait, with a very agreeable letter, which will be 
found on page 152. 

The Queen's Poultry House is a large half-gothic 
structure, with a central well-lighted apartment for 
viewing the fowls, and over this is an extensive dove- 
house. Its front and ends are for the most part glazed, 
and in the wings of the building are the sections or di- 
visions for the convenience of the different varieties of 
domestic fowl ; of which there are many very choice 
breeds kept. 

In front is a broad lawn divided off with light wire 



54 burnham's new poultry-book; 

fencing, which affords space where the fowls and chicks ' 
may range to advantage. Inside of each division is a 
gravelled walk or patch, also. In addition to this main 
house are contiguous lesser buildings, yards and en- 
closures ^ — dotted with food-houses, laying-sheds, etc. 
Her Majesty evinced a rare interest in this agreeable 
pastime, formerly ; and, very much to her credit, as a 
woman, exhibited an affectionate zeal in this matter of 
e very-day life, which is so truthfully portrayed by the 
poet : — 

" I love the neighborhood of man and beast ; Wm 

I would not place my stable out of sight. 
How grateful 'tis to wake, and hear the sound 
Of flapping wing and crow of Chanticleer, 
Long ere the morn that tells the dawn is near. 
Pleasant the path — by garden wall or fields — 
Where flocking birds, of various plume and chirp, 
Discordant, cluster round the leaning stack. 
From whence the thresher draws the rusthng leaves !" 

The nests in this extensive royal establishment are 
formed of dry heather, gathered from the fields, and 
are covered with twigs and branches of evergreen ; so 
that the layers are quite in seclusion when upon their 
nests. A plan of these nests — for the convenience of 
laying and hatching — is given on opposite page ; the 
style is both ornamental and useful, it will be found 
very inexpensive, and may readily be adopted to ad- 
vantage in this country. 

The nests are in ranges, about fourteen inches square, 
with the front running up eight inches from the flat 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



55 



bottom of the boarding. These can be built on or near 
the floor of the house, or at a higher elevation, as pre- 
ferred. 




LAYING AND HATCHING KESTS, IN THE QUEEN' S POULTRY-HOUSE. 

Though this extensive and elegantly appointed es- 
tablishment of royalty is very fine, the splendid poultry- 
house of Lord Penrhyn, at Winnington, England, in the 
County of Cheshire, is incomparably the most magnifi- 
cent poultry-palace ever built. 

This consists of a handsome, regular front, of about 
one hundred and fifty feet, " at each extremity of which 
is a neat pavilion, with a large, arched window. These 
pavilions are united to the centre of the design, by a 
colonade of cast-iron pillars, painted white, which sup- 
port a cornice, and a slate roof, covering a paved walk, 
and a variety of different conveniences for the poultry, 
for keeping eggs, corn, and the like. The doors into 
these are all of lattice-work, also painted white, and the 
framing green. In the middle of the front, are four 
stone columns, and four pilasters, supporting, likewise, 



bQ burnham's new poultry-book; 

a cornice, and slate roof, under which is a beaiitifuA 
mosaic iron gate ; on one side of this gate is an elegant 
little parlor, beautifully papered and furnished ; and at 
the other end of the colonade a very neat kitchen, kept 
scrupulously clean. The front is the diameter of a 
large semi-circular court behind, round which there is 
also a colonade and a great variety of conveniences for 
poultry. The court is paved, and a circular pond and 
pump are in the middle of it. The whole fronts to- 
wards a rich little paddock, in which the poultry have 
the liberty to walk about, between meals. At one 
o'clock a bell rings, and the gate in the centre is opened. 
The poultry being then mostly walking in the paddock, 
and knowing by the sound of the bell, that their feed is 
ready for them, fly and run from all quarters, and rush 
in at the gate, every one striving which can get in first. 
There are about six hundred fowls of different kinds 
kept in the place ; and although so large a number, the 
semi-circular court is always very neat and clean. This 
poultry-house is of brick, except the pillars and cor- 
nices, the lintels and jambs of the doors and windows ; 
but the bricks are not seen, being all covered with a 
fine kind of slate, from his lordship's estate in Wales. 
These slates are close-jointed, and fastened with screw- 
nails on small spars fixed in the brick ; they are after- 
wards painted, and fine white sand thrown on, while 
the paint is wet, which gives the whole an appearance 
of the most beautiful freestone." 

But such quarters for poultry, in this country, would 
scarcely pay ! We have merely described these two 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 57 

fine establishments, briefly, to show how royalty and 
nobility care for their fowls' comfort, in England. With 
us, as we remarked at the opening of this chapter, the 
simplest and most economical arrangements for this 
purpose, having regard to the convenience and health 
of fowls, are all that is needed for their comfort and 
successful rearing. 

Poultry-houses upon estates where the birds can have 
a good run, are only essential for the protection of your 
feathered stock, so that they may resort to them in cold, 
rainy, or windy weather — or be shielded therein 
during our seasons of snows and winter. If left to 
themselves, fowls will leave the cosiest of houses, during 
a portion of almost any day in the year — except when 
the snow lies too deep on the ground ; sincS they delight 
in the clear open air, and freedom from the restraint of 
all closed limits. 

Consequently their houses should be so arranged as 
tliat they may enjoy both warmth and shelter, in the 
cold season. At other times, they will live abroad most- 
ly, except when they are roosting, sitting or laying — if 
permitted to do so. For six or seven months in the 
year, therefore, (provided they have unlimited range) 
in a simple lean-to, shed, barn, or other out-building, 
where roojts and nests can be accorded to them, they 
will be happy, thrifty, and healthy, ordinarily. 

" But we want eggs in winter," exclaims everybody. 
Very well — you can have them by keeping your poultry 
warm and comfortable, during the cold weather. To 
do this you must have additional conveniences to a com- 



58 burnham's new poultry-book; 

mon Ican-to, or shed. From Ma}^ to November, gener- 
ally speaking, in our Northern and middle States, this 
will suffice ; after that, the fowls must be housed and 
cared for, or you get no eggs during the cold months 
that follow November. 

The floor of the poultry-house should be dry, and of 
hard gravel, or earth. This should be cleansed daily, 
and kept clean. Inside, it should be whitewashed two 
or three times each season, to keep away or help destroy 
the collecting vermin. The roof should be tight, as well 
as the walls, and good ventilation across and overhead 
is indispensable. Dampness, rain, melted snow leaking 
in, and cold winds, sicken or destroy more fowls than 
die from any other prime cause in our cold weather. 

A window' or flap upon each side of your poultry- 
house, for ventilation, is an excellent arrangement — to 
open a4id shut at pleasure. At night 07ie of these should 
be closed to avoid the consequences of exposing your 
fowls to a draught of cold air, which is very injurious 
alike to fowl or human. In the winter season, these 
windows should be open only at intervals during the 
warmest part of the day ; and always be closed tightly 
on winter nights. 

The roost may be four feet high from the floor, for 
large, heavy fowls, and should be ascended to by means 
of a foot-wide board resting on either end of it, from the 
ground. Across this, horizontally, nail laths, the length 
of the width of the board, six or eight inches apart ; by 
which your larger birds may readily ascend and descend 
from the roost. This simple arrangement will save 
many an injury to these clumsy fowls, first and last. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 59 

Let this roost be a single spruce pole, two inches 
thick, and directly underneath it, (say two feet wide) 
secure a boarding, upon which the droppings from the 
birds may fall in one place during the night. Clean 
this board often — thrice a week, at farthest ; and save 
this manure by itself, in a clean barrel. It is better 
than the same quantity of the best guano for your gar- 
den, if you have one, and if not, the morocco-dresser 
nearest you will gladly pay you six to eight dollars a 
barrel for it. 

Mr. Nutter, of North Bridgewater, Mass., has adopted 
a plan for saving and utilizing the droppings of his 
fowls, which is a good one. He arranges a shallow 
trough, of about the width we recommend, and the 
length of the roost, which he places underneath it, and 
cleans out frequently — to marked profit — he says. 
Mr. Nutter calculates that fowls are upon the roosts 
nearly two-thirds of the time, when kept in confinement, 
and the amount of manure he thus saves, from a couple 
dozen birds, (when mixed with loam, properly,) fur- 
nishes him with an excellent dressing for his goodsized 
garden, from which (after applying this compost) he 
has raised the finest vegetables in his neighborhood. 
In one corner of his fowl-house he keeps a heap of loam, 
or dry soil, handy, which he mixes with the droppings 
from time to time, as it is gathered from under the 
roosts ; and he* has found that the compost thus made 
in a season — even from his limited number of fowls — 
is not only super-excellent in quality, for his garden- 
dressing, but is quite generous in quantity. Prepared 



60 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

either in this manner, for the purpose indicated, or 
saved clean, to be sold to the tanners, your fowls' drop- 
pings are worth caring for; the more especially if you 
keep many of them. 

The aspect of your poultry-house, lean-to, shed, or 
whatever building you may undertake to winter fowls 
in, should be towards the east and south. This gives 
them the early morning sun ; and its front should ac- 
cordingly be furnished with glass sashes — more or 
less — carried down to within a foot of the sill, if con- 
venient, so that they can have the full benefit of this 
natural and cheerful heat, inside the house, through the 
glazing. Heating your fowl-house from a stove (as 
some persons do,) is absolutely pernicious, and of 
course altogether unnatural. In large establishments, 
where hot water or steam pipes could be run through 
the building, readily, such artificial heat might answer. 
But all this kind of thing, 1 have found to my cost, will 
produce more vermin than anything else ; and I long 
since concluded that if the fowl-house is tight, the birds 
do better (with what sun-heat they can get, ordinarily) 
than through the other means, in winter. 

The opposite plan is for a convenient double summer 
fowl-house, each half being provided with a roomy yard, 
in front. The whole area occupied, may be 75 by 40 
feet, or less. The house has a plain board-battened 
roof 8 feet high front, 11 feet at reai*; it is tight all 
round, except the slats in fronts ; there is an entrance 
door to each part (front) and a hole for fowls to enter 
and leave the house (or shed) at each corner ; yard and 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 61 



— T 










1 


O 














- 














1 


o 




or 






























1 


Do 


s. 


















n 




1 


n 1 


1 

FRONT. 1 
OPEN YARD. ! 


FRONT. 
OPEN YARD. 

r 

1 

1 



A CHEAP, DOUIiLE BATTENEB-ROOP SUMMER FOWL-HOUSE. 



62 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

shed are divided in the centre by a continuons high 
closely-slatted fence ; roosts and nests, etc., same as in 
plan p. 107 ; size of each shed part 20 by 15 feet ; open 
yards 60 by 20 feet. 

The slatting can easily be removed in the fall, and 
sashes pnt in its place, for winter use, if desirable, at 
small cost. Provision should be made for ventilation, 
at the sides. Water should always be handy for the 
fowls, inside any house — and plenty of it, fresh and 
pure. Not snow-water, either. Obliging your fowls to 
drink melted show, will take the flesh off your poultry 
faster than it can be put on, with the heartiest and 
most abundant food you can force into them. Remove 
the water-vessels, or empty them every night, in freez- 
ing weather — and replenish in the morning, daily; 
and you will quickly note the difference in the general 
health of your fowls, if you have only pursued the other 
careless mode hinted at. This recommendation may 
seem to be a trivial matter — but I have managed both 
ways. Perhaps the reader hasn't ! 

In the middle of the winter's days, ventilate your 
house, always — when snow, or sleet, or rain, will not 
drive into it. Fowls love fresh air ; and, in confined 
places, diseases — roup, gapes, dysentery, vertigo, and 
vermin will generate, and spread amongst them, won- 
drously. Keep the poultry-house dean. Never scatter 
the feed about your floors. Keep your dry food in 
shallow boxes, where it can be seen, and got at, easily. 
Nail across the edges of these feed-boxes slats of laths, 
six inches apart, so that the birds can't stand in, and 
befoul or scatter the grain. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 63 

Give them light, fresh air when convenient, lime, 
scraps, the dry offal from your table, ashes to roll in, 
and fresh water — and they do well, even in confine- 
ment, if looked after, daily. 

I have said that you can have eggs from your fowls, 
in winter time. This will depend, in a measure, of 
course, upon the age of your layers. Early spring 
pullets will begin to lay in the fall, and will continue 
right along, during the colder months, if you keep 
them warm, dry, and properly fed. Old hens do not 
lay much, in the cold season, usually. Indeed, my ex- 
perience has taught me that a hen becomes " old," when 
she reaches her third or fourth year. After this period, 
she will scarcely pay for her keeping, for the eggs she 
lays. As a " show " bird, (barring the unsightly scales 
that will then accumulate upon her legs,) she may 
answer a purpose. But I have found that the China 
fowls " lay themselves out," by the time they come to 
be three j^ears old ; and many die, before reaching that 
age, or bag down, astern, so that they become worthless, 
in my estimation. 

To have fresh eggs, in winter, then, you must depend 
upon your previous spring-hatched pullets ; and they 
must be kept where they will be warm. They should 
also be well fed, aud allowed animal food, chopped fine, 
with plenty of lime, and gravel, always. These arti- 
cles largely furnish the materials for eggs and egg- 
shells, which the bird readily obtains, in the summer 
season, amidst its roamings. And this brings us to the 
subject of raising eggs and chickens in quantities, for 
market purposes, simply. 




CHAPTER VI. 



RAISING POULTRY AND EGGS FOR MARKET. 



At the request of Hon. Isaac Newton, late Commis- 
sioner of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, at 
Washington, D. C, I prepared the paper on this sub- 
ject, which appears in the official Report of that De- 
partment for the year 1862. I was absent in the army 
up to the fall of 1864, and did not see this article until 
a year after that Report was published. But it con- 
tains in a general way, my ideas upon the subject of 
raising poultry in quantities, as well as in reference to 
the producing of eggs for market, so accurately, that I 
give place to that paper, here, with such notes and 
explanations as my subsequent experience prompts, up- 
on this important branch of the fowl-trade. 

The communication alluded to, is illustrated from 
drawings of my own poultry-houses, upon the estate I 
then occupied in Melrose, Mass., and the principal 
U 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 65 

building is still standing there. The illustrations in this 
and the next chapters are also copied from the Depart- 
ment Report, for '62, and are correct. I insert this 
article, entire ; from which it will be seen, by compar- 
ing it with other parts- of this " New Poultry Book," 
that I have not materially changed my opinions in 
reference to the general points therein treated of; 
though — during a visit to Europe, in the year 1867, 1 
learned some facts connected with the details of this 
paper, which I have noted, in the appropriate place. 
This article appears under the title that heads this 
chapter, and is as follows : — 

" A great deal has been written in the few past years 
on the subject of advantageously breeding, keeping, 
and fattening poultry, and producing eggs for market. 
Many suggestions and numerous theories have been 
presented to the public through the medium of books, 
and the press of our own and other countries upon this 
theme ; and much of the information and advice thus 
promulgated has been of a visionary and impracticable 
character, though, at the same time, no inconsiderable 
amount of valuable information has thus been elicited 
from actual experiments made public, regarding this 
agreeable and now highly important pursuit in rural 
life. 

It is the object of the present paper to present the 
results of a practical experience in this department, in 
a familiar manner, and to offer for the benefit of the 
farmer, the breeder, and the amateur, certain facts and 
hints acquired by the writer through a long experience 



66 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

with, and a careful observation of, the habits, wants, 
and characteristics of domestic fowls ; and to point at 
the probable profits attainable by breeding poultry and 
raising eggs for ordinary market purposes. 

The common fowls of the country are at this time, 
of course, in great excess of numbers over any and all 
of the "fancy" breeds of late introduced among us, from 
abroad. Yet it is a notable fact that, by means of the 
importations of foreign blood made within the last 
dozen years, and especially through the introduction of 
the large Chinese variety ( Crallus giganteus) amongst 
our farmers and poulterers since 1850, the distinctive 
characteristics of this race of birds are now very wide- 
ly disseminated among the domestic fowls of America ; 
and it would be unusual at the present day to meet 
with the flock in our farm-yards and poultry-houses 
about the country, where the marked features- of the 
Chinese race of fowl are not to a greater or less extent 
visible. 

That the mixing of this foreign blood with that of 
our own native races of domestic birds has proved 
of great advantage, no one who has bred poultry ex- 
tensively in the last twelve or fifteen years will deny ; 
and whether we consider the item of increase in size 
and weighty at a given age, attainable with certainty 
through the crossing of stronger foreign blood upon 
our native breeds, or that of the well-decided advantage 
thus obtained in the enlargement and increase of weight 
and numbers of eggs obtained from the product of this 
crossing, the general gain by the process is most clearly 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 67 

in our favor. It is, therefore, but truthful to premise 
that the mixture of the Chinese blood with that of the 
common fowl of the country has proved of great bene- 
fit, and that the continuance of the practice will be 
found of corresponding advantage in raising poultry 
for the market, inasmuch as the product of the crossing 
matures much earlier than does the old native stock, 
thus giving, within a shorter period, more pounds of 
flesh in good season ; while, for the producing of eggs, 
the half-bloods are known almost uniformly to com- 
mence laying at a much earlier age than the common 
fowl, thus affording us eggs abundantly at from four 
and a half to five and a half months old, and after- 
wards. For these reasons the writer fully agrees with 
a recent English author of reliability and experience, 
that the introduction of the new races of fowls in late 
years " has resulted unquestionably in diffusing over 
the country greatly improved breeds of this interesting 
and useful kind of live stock ; that more judicious 
modes of treatment than were formerly practiced have 
been made known ; and that our markets certainly will 
by this means henceforth be more fully supplied with 
both eggs and fowls of a vastly superior quality." 

Within the writer's experience, if from this cross 
chickens are hatched in the months of February and 
early March, the male birds, properly cared for, will by 
July and August attain to a generous size for the table, 
and, if well fed during this period, they will average a 
dressed weight of five or six pounds each, or eleven 
pounds the pair, which, at the ordinary value of poultry 



68 burnham's new poultry-book; 

m market in the months last named, will afford a very 
handsome profit upon their cost and keeping. At 
about the period when the cocks are thus killed off, the 
pullets of this cross and age will begin to lay almost 
uniformly, and will continue to furnish eggs during the 
entire winter, coming in for sitters naturally in the 
months of February and March, when their litters have 
been exhausted. 

As to stock for breeding purposes, a selection is best 
made from the short-legged- China (Shanghas) ma?^ birds, 
to be introduced to the common native female stock. 
From their chickens, selected birds only should be kept 
for future breeding, and the cross thus obtained are 
best hred bach to the China male again, reserving from 
season to season only the short-limbed and well-shaped 
pullets from this crossing for subsequent use. In this 
way the better characteristics of the foreign blood are 
more uniformly retained, though it will be necessary 
constantly, as above recommended, each year to select 
the most promising fowls in shape, size, &c., for breed- 
ing purposes ; for it is a well-known fact that all crosses 
deteriorate after the first one. 

For obtaining the greatest amount of eggs, or for the 
production of the best average quantity of flesh, fowls 
should never be kept beyond the age of two years old. 
It is well-settled that during the first year of her life a 
well-fed hen will lay more eggs than ever afterwards. 
From the end of her second year she beghis to fail as a 
breeder, and chickens usually raised from old hen's eggs 
are never so vigorous, so healthy, or otherwise so prom- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 69 

ising as are those hatched from the eggs of young birds ; 
that is to say, those from one to two years of age. 

Male birds are in tlieir prime only down to the end of 
the second year, and should not be kept for propagation 
beyond that period of life. For ordinary breeding pur- 
poses a vigorous young male bird will serve advantage- 
ously twelve or fifteen hens, the former number being 
preferable as a rule. The males should be changed 
every season from one flock of females to another, and 
no male bird should be permitted to run with the same 
hens during more than a single season, under any cir- 
cumstances. 

For the producing of eggs only, no male bird is neces- 
sary to be kept with the laying hens ; and during the 
season of moulting it will be found of advantage, decid- 
edly, to separate the cocks from the pullets altogether. 
These hints are offered for the consideration of those 
who desire to breed fowls systematically and to the best 
advantage in moderate quantities. Where large num- 
bers of birds are kept, it is not absolutely necessary that 
these recommendations should be altogether observed ; 
but for the purposes of comparatively " good breeding," 
making no pretension to simply keeping up a purity of 
race, but rather for the every day purposes of the far- 
mer, who is satisfied with fair profits, and who breeds 
for the ordinary market, the hints proposed will be 
found generally advantageous. Late competent author- 
ity affirms that for breeding upon a large scale " only 
the best of both sexes should be selected, and these not 
too near akin." 



70 burnham's new poultry-book 



I 



If it suits the fancy or object of the owner, his fowls 
may be of several breeds, without any risk of inter- 
mingling, the select breeding stocks^ being kept up by 
merely changing the cocks every second year, and not 
more than one cock to thirty hens need be kept for the 
general stock, as it is of no consequence whether all the 
eggs are impregnated or not. This has reference not 
to high breeding for the show rooms, but to the produc- 
tion only of poultry-meat and eggs. The cost of fowl- 
keeping first and last, if all the necessary food is pur- 
chased at ordinary market prices, will average not far 
from ten cents a head per month. With the run of the 
farm-yard, however, and only a moderate number of 
fowls, the cost is much less. In large numbers, say 
hundreds or thousands, the expense of keeping will 
reach the first-named estimate fully, if the birds are con- 
fined to limited quarters. This sum is fixed for the 
food dealt out only, the additional expense of care, and 
interest upon investments for cost of buildings and fix- 
tures, land occupied, &c., is not included, and must de- 
pend, of course, upon the extent of the establishment, 
the taste and means of the poultry-keeper, &c. 

Where the fowls are kept for ^profit, and especially 
when large numbers are present, attention should be 
directed to saving the feathers taken from them, (if 
dressed for market,) and also the manure from the 
houses — no inconsiderable item of value each year. 
AVilson, in his " British Farming," says that " where a 
hundred common fowl and a dozen geese or ducks are 
kept, the quantity and value of the manure produced 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. Tl 

by them (but little inferior to guano,) if kept by itself 
and secured from the weather, will surprise those who 
have not made trial of the plan." Where five hundred 
or a thousarid fowls or more are kept, the importance 
of this item will be worth remembering. 

In raising poultry, whether the object be to produce 
chickens for the market, or to obtain a supply of eggs, 
the first principle to be observed is absolute cleanliness 
in and around the houses they occupy. During the 
brief fattening process, if this plan be adopted at all, 
a range for the birds intended to be slaughtered is not 
necessary. On the contrary, for two or three weeks de- 
voted to finally fattening fowls for the spit, the more 
quiet they remain in their confiiiement (always suppos- 
ing them to be kept cleanly and free from vermin) the 
better. For the London and Paris markets, light even 
is excluded from the fattening coops during the few 
weeks devoted to putting the fowls in their best condi- 
tion before killing. But this process is of doubtful util- 
ity, and the " cramming" method in vogue among so 
many breeders is generally deemed not only inhuman, 
but is undoubtedly not remunerative. 

Fowls collected together in any number will get sick, 
and the query is often made, " How can they be cured ?.'' 
If the fowl houses are kept thoroughly dry and clean, 
and the poultry free from vermin, there will be but little 
sickness among the chickens. When the cas6 occurs, 
however, remove the bird that droops, at once, knock 
it on the head, and bury it beneath the roots of the 
grape-vines. This will be a profitable and effectual 



72 burnham's new poultry-book; 

riddance of sick fowls. Robert Scott Burn, in his " Les- 
sons of my Farm," very rightfully asserts tliat " the 
cure of disease in ordinary fowls is not worth attempt- 
ing, and the best way — mercilessly, or rather merciful- 
ly — is to devote the sick bird to the hands of the exe- 
cutioner. A fowl under the slightest sickness, deterior- 
ates so fast in condition that it is best to kill it at once, 
and thus put it out of miserj^, and avoid contamination 
to its neighbors. Far " better kill than attempt to 
cure." It costs more than it is worth, and where there 
are numbers to contend with, the cure of fowl sickness 
is exceedingly difficult and uncertain." Such is my own 
experience, and such is my invariable disposal of sick 
chickens. 

For both laying and breeding fowls a range is a neces- 
sity to their comfort, health and profitableness. With- 
out this convenience, to a greater or less extent — and 
the more liberal the range the better — it is futile to 
attempt to grow fowls to profit, and idle to expect them 
to produce eggs regularly. Good range, pure water, dry 
shelter, animal food, and entire freedom from filth, are 
all needful to promote high health and continuous pros- 
perity in the poultry yard ; but more or less range for 
laying fowls is the first essential to their well doing. To 
afford this desirable accommodation space is required ; 
and where a considerable number of birds is kept upon 
a single farm, the room assigned to each lot should be 
as liberally accorded as possible, in order to prevent 
immediate sickness among the stock, for the crowding 
of a large number of fowls into single enclosures is cer- 
tain to generate roup and other diseases. 




No 5. DARK BRAHMA HEN, (drawn by H. Weir.) 

The first sent to Kuglaiid, bj' G. P. Buriiham. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 73 

Fowls must be colouized, in small numbers, to be bred 
profitably. This, in my experience, has proved a sine 
qua non. According to the " ancient laws of Wales," 
the intrinsic value of poultry in England one thousand 
years ago, was very insignificant. " The worth of a 
goose," affirms this authority, at that period, " was one 
legal penny ; of a gander, two legal pennies ; of a brood 
goose the value of her nest ; of each gosling half a pen- 
ny, until it lays, and afterwards a legal penny ; a hen 
was one penny in value ; a cock two hens in value ; 
every chicken was a sheaf of oats, or one farthing in 
value until it roosts, and after that a half penny, until 
it shall lay or crow." This value was made up in the 
good old times, and contrasts singularly with the nom- 
inal value of certain fowls in the year of grace 1854~'55, 
for example, when cocks and hens of the then favorite 
breeds of imported Chinese stock commanded readily in 
England, as well as in the United States, such almost 
fabulous sums as five, ten, and even twenty guineas 
each ! But neither the penny valuation of a thousand 
years ago, or the nominal pounds sterling value of the 
fancy breeds of 1854 'b^^ are of material consequence in 
this article, and we allude to the fact simply by w^ay of 
comparison. 

Of a more practical character are the estimates which 
follow. The London Board of Trade officially returns, 
as the number of eggs imported into England from 
France and Belgium for five years inclusive up to 1857, 
a yearly average of 147,342,219. For four years inclus- 
ive succeeding this period, that is, from 1858 to 1861, 



74 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

the average number annually imported was 163,581,140. 
In the year 1843 the number was but 70,515,931. In 
1851 the number was 115,526,236, the amount of import 
duty paid during that year being X 25,700, or about 
8128,000. In 1861 there were imported 203,313,310 
eggs. At eight cents per dozen (the average wholesale 
market price realized) the money value of this single 
article for the year 1861 reached $1,355,542. This was 
for eggs alone, imported into England and sold in or- 
dinary market to first hands at wholesale prices, and 
liad no reference, of course, to the large quantities 
raised by England upon her own soil, and consumed by 
her home population in the interior. 

In the year 1856 the value of poultry imported into 
England was X 221,400. The annual increase of impor- 
tation since then, up to tlie year 1859, was about twen- 
ty-nine per centum. In 1861 the whole value of eggs 
and poultry imported into England reached the extra- 
ordinary cash value of £385,000 sterling, or nearly 
$1,800,000. This has reference to the reported value 
of marketed poultry only, and includes no estimates at 
all of the large quantities grown and used at home, or 
the heavy sums paid for stock imported by breeders. 
During the last year (1861 to 1862) this vast valuation 
is very considerably increased, as the statistics clearly 
show. 

In the vicinity of all large cities and towns fresh 
eggs are always in request, at the most remunerative 
prices. Every tiller of the soil possesses, more or 
less, facilities for feeding poultry economically, and 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 75 

has also the space upon his land to make them com- 
fortable and tlu'ifty. But some time must be given to 
looking after tliem daily, and a degree of care is 
requisite to keep them in '' good heart," and to render 
them of profit in the end. Our Shorthorns and 
Alderneys, our Suffolks and Chesters, our Southdowns 
and Cotswolds, all require care to keep them in fine 
condition. Why not, proportionately so with our 
poultry, which, having reference to the comparative 
cost and product, pays with certainty so much greater 
a percentage of profit, year by year ? In France, every 
farmer has his chicken yard, and the amount of poultry 
and eggs consumed by, and exported from, that country 
is enormous. Monsieur de Lavergne, for example, 
estimates that the poultry of Great Britain for this year 
(1861-'62) is valued, in round numbers, at twenty 
millions francs, ($4,000,000,) while the total value of 
the two products — poultry and eggs — in France, *at 
the same period, reaches rising two hundred millions of 
francs, (140,000,000.) This last estimated product 
leaves a large margin for exportation from France over 
and above the requirements for home consumption, 
which surplus is sent over to England. These figures, 
relating to the quantities of poultry and eggs used and 
raised in France and England, are quoted, briefly, to 
afford an idea of the importance of this branch of rural 
economy in other countries, and thus to suggest its 
magnitude in our own. 

In Paris and London, as in the large American cities 
also, the demand for early chickens (for the table) is 



76 burnham's new poultry-book; 

always large and equally steady. Prime chickens 
command from nine to twelve dollars the dozen in 
American markets during the season. In England 
they bring from twelve to fifteen dollars per dozen. 
English farmers and poulterers, even at this day, are 
considered far behind either the French or Belgians in 
this branch of domestic economy. If our American 
farmers would pay more attention to this subject, and 
so manage as to put upon the market their poultry in 
good condition early in the season, annually, (say in 
the months of May and June,) a more than commen- 
surate profit would follow the slightly increased ex- 
penses, and extra trouble of the earlier rearings, inas- 
much as matured chickens will command a consider- 
ably higher price in the months of May and June than 
during July and August. 

The most economical and advantageous mode of pro- 
ducing poultry and eggs for market has long been a 
mooted question ; but favorable results depend prin- 
cipally upon the facilities at hand for multiplying fowls 
most readily in quayitities. That poultry is, and can be, 
raised to profit in large numbers, is no longer problem- 
atical, the opinion of many modern writers upon this 
subject to the contrary notwithstanding. For instance : 
Monsieur De Sora, of France, who is the most exten- 
sive breeder of poultry in the known world, has been 
eminently successful in this business. His market for 
chickens and eggs is Paris, where tens of thousands of 
his poulets arc annually disj)osed of for consumption in 
that city. But Monsieur De Sora has no use for setting 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 77 

hens. He raises all his chickens by artificial incuba- 
tion, that is, by steam heat. His establishment is 
immense, and a large amount of capital is at present 
employed in the prosecution of his vocation.* Yet he 
began with a few hundred dollars only a few years ago, 
and has progressed, until now he employs over a hun- 
dred hands constantly in the different departments of 
his colossal poultry house. Monsieur De Sora's product 
of eggs during the last year averaged almost 50,000 
dozen iveekly^ which, with the sales made of his early 
chickens, yielded him $280,000 gross, in round num- 
bers. His expenses, all told, were some $145,000, 
leaving him a profit of $135,000, for the year, or 
675,000 francs. He feeds his stock upon animal flesh 
chopped up, varying the fare with vegetables and grains 
cooked. During the three months in the fall of the year 
he sends to the Paris market over one thousand dozen 
fattened capons, say from September to the end of 
November. His process of artificial incubation is being 
carried on continually, but the bulk of his chickens are 
produced during the late winter months. His net 
profits are now estimated at about fifty per centum 



* This description of " INIonsieur De Sora's " establishment, and the accom- 
panying statistics above given of his ponltry operations, were gathered from 
an article in a leading American agricultural journal; and though they 
savored of monstrous dimensions, at the time, it was not thought to be an 
improbable account; since it is known that very large poultry-establish- 
ments were then in existence, near Paris, Avhich supplied that chicken-loving 
city with its myriads of poukts. But, when the author was in France, he 
sought for "Monsieur De Sora," and could find neither him, nor this great 
establishment described. Though the consumption of chickens and eggs in 
Paris is enormous, the demand is supplied by a great nuinber of poultry- 
raisers, in the suburbs of the capital — or tons, beiore the late war there — 
none of which, however, ^as far as I could learn, approximate to the colossal 
size iudicatiid in this paragraph, describing De Sora's establishment. — g. p. b. 



78 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

•upon his gross animal receipts of nearly three hundred 
thousand dollars ! To our vision these immense fioures 
appear very formidable, but De Sora's poultry establish- 
ment is an enormous concern. During the year 1858, 
he wintered 100,000 birds, and in 1860 over 112,000 
of the ordinary varieties, discarding, as he does, the 
Chinese breeds in their purity, altogether. His plan 
of producing chickens is almost identical with that of 
the Egyptians, who, it is known, raise enormous quanti- 
ties of fowls by artificial heat for market with constant 
success. This mode is not convenient or feasible, 
however, in this country, as a rule. The above in- 
stance is quoted merely to show that fjwls can be 
raised in quantities to advantage. With our farmers 
tlie plans of nature must be followed and adopted. 

Eggs must be raised in the natural way with us, and 
chickens are best produced through the ordinary 
process which has been so long in vogue with us, to 
wit : the sitting of hens. A western journal estimated 
the value of eggs in the United Stales, in 1859, to be 
equivalent to one Imndred and twenty-two millions of 
dollars, at eight cents per dozen. The New Yoi'k 
Evening Post subsequently set down the value of eggs 
and poultry in the United States, in 1861, at the 
enormous sum of two hundred and sixty-five millions 
of dollars, reckoning at New York market rates for 
these products. The shipment of eggs from a single 
county in the State of Ohio, over the railroads east- 
ward, in one month, was recently officially reported to 
be 115,200 dozen. From the State of Maine thousands 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 79 

of barrels of eggs are shipped monthly to the Boston 
and New York markets. These facts are cited as 
instances only. When we consider the immense num- 
bers of eggs used in home consumption in every locality 
of the country, annually, and the vast quantities that 
are shipped from the interior to all other cities and 
large towns on the sea-coast, as well as the great supply 
of poultry that is daily furnished to the chief marts of 
the country, in addition to both the poultry and eggs 
which are consumed by all classes of Americans from 
their private domains, the calculations above noted are 
by no means unreasonable, though at first sight they 
appear almost fabulous. 

In lesser establishments, such as seem to be suf- 
ficient for, and to satisfy the taste of the occupants of 
most farms in the country, where the raising of poultry 
is not made a speciality, the most indifferent accommo- 
dations are deemed ample for the comfort and welfare 
of the fowls ordinarily connected with the place. A 
simple lean-to, an out-building, a rickety shed attached 
to the barn side, the barn itself — without other pro- 
vision — in the estimation of many farmers, is con- 
sidered " well enough " for the use and convenience of 
the chickens. But where one or two hundred fowls can 
just as well be profitably kept in a thrifty condition as 
a dozen or two can be neglected and starved, il is well 
that every farmer should look at this item of live 
stock, and bear in mind that, with ordinary care, (con- 
sidering the necessary investment of capital and the 
trouble of its keeping,) no live stock will return him 



80 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

anything like so generous a percentaoe upon his money 
as will liis too often neglected poultry. 

As a rule, the poultry-house or houses are better 
placed, all things considered, with the aspect facing 
towards the east and south, with high rear and side 
walls upon the north and west sides for the hatching 
coops, to ward off the cold winds and effects of storms, 
more especially in our northern and eastern States. 
Shelter and warmth, in bad weather, are as requisite to 
the continuous prosperity of poultry as are cleanliness 
and food. During the severe winters experienced in 
our northern latitude, domestic fowls will neither lay, 
nor be free from various diseases, if exposed to rough 
weather or the chilling winds." 





Fig 1 — A CHEAP AND GOOD POULTPwY HOUSE. 



CHAPTER Yll. 



ILLUSTRATIONS OF POULTRY-HOUSES AND COOPS. 



" A cheap and good style of fowl-house may be con- 
structed with a partial glass front and end, facing as 
above indicated, the sash running from just above the 
sill towards the peak, and upon the side towards the 
eaves, of any desired dimensions, upon the following 
plan : 

Such a house has been in use for several years by the 
writer, and has been found to answer admirably for 
sitters, as for layers, with a slight change in the in- 
terior arrangements, from one season to another. The 
glass used may be of the very cheapest quality, " blis- 
tered" or "wavy" being as good as any; and the 
glazing may be such as serves for the ordinary green- 
house roofing, that is, lapped upon the edges, and done 
at moderate cost. This afHn'ds light and ample oppor- 
81 



82 



BURNHAM S NEW POULTRY-BOOK ; 




Explanation. — W, windows; b, ash-boxes; 
d, doors; n, nests; r, for roosts. (Ground plan.) 



1 
b 



w 

1 
b 



L I. 



n = 



j\ 



JSBSZ 



11 



^M" 



n 



tunity for warmth from the sun's rays continually, and 
has been found the most economical and comfortable 
of all styles of winter poultry house. The wing may be 
of any length. Clay-beaten floors beneath the roosting 
places are economical, easily cleaned, and afford slight 
attractions for vermin. Half round roosts of large 
sized spruce poles are the most comfortable, and these 
should be movable, to set upon cross-stilts not over two 
or three feet from the ground or floor. If these roosts 
are covered with strips of old woolen cloth, (tailor's list 
is best,) which, at nightfall, once a week, in warm 
weather, may be wet with spirits of turpentine or kero- 
sene, the process will serve the double purpose of keep- 
ing the roosts free from vermin, and of freeing the 
bodies of the fowls from this same annoyance. Access 
to a gravelled walk or yard at the rear, in fine weather, 
is indispensible. A grass enclosure, if practicable, upon 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 83 

which fowls can range daily, is a desideratum in sum- 
mer. In the rear of the above described house, was 
alloted half an acre for this purpose. In the absence 
of these tvv^o last mentioned almost necessities to the 
high health of domestic fowls, fresh gravel and sand, 
broken shells, &c., and green food of some kind, as 
cabbage leaves, ruta-baga tops, turnip leaves, grass, or 
the like, should frequently be thrown within their reach, 
which they will devour with avidity, and which will 
greatly tend to their continual improvement. Old 
mortar or oyster shells, broken up, are excellent for 
variety, if accessible. 

The house already described (figures 1 and 2) may 
be used for laying hens during the fall and winter, and 
for sitters in early spring time. From such a house the 
chickens, when strong enough, may be transferred to the 
ope7i or " summer " coops mentioned hereafter, and 
shown in figures 3, 4 and 5. It must not be forgotten 
that thorough ventilation of the poultry house is a sine 
qua non. Pure air, and plenty of it, when not freezing 
cold, is as desirable to fowls as to man. A dust-bath, 
formed of screened coal or wood ashes, is a luxury for 
fowls confined in limited accommodations. The pre- 
mises described should always be kept as cleanly as 
possible, and at least, semi-annually whitewashed upon 
the inside. The water furnished poultry should be 
pure, and if a stream runs through the enclosure all 
the better ; if not, fresh water should be supplied them 
regularly, and the vessels from which they drink should 
never be suffered to stand in the sun, at any season. 



84 burnham's new poultsy-book ; 

Fowls drink a great deal, daily. They should always 
have plenty of water — fresh, clean, and cool. From" 
long experience and observation, the writer feels as- 
sured that no dumb creature better appreciates this 
provision for its health and comfort than does the 
domestic fowl. 

In a recent address before the French Academic des 
Sciences at Paris, M. Genin declared that, after a care- 
ful study of three years upon the subject, and from re- 
peated actual experiments, lie could confidently state 
that the sex of eggs may be determined as follows : 
" Eggs containing the male germ can be distinguished 
by their elongated form, and a partially raised or ringed 
surface around the small end of the shell, while those 
containing the female germ are comparatively smooth, 
and more equally of a size at both ends." The writer 
has tried many experiments upon this theory, with but 
fair success. Though not invariable, this simple rule, 
in the selection of eggs for sitting, is comparatively 
safe. The remarks thus far submitted, have reference, 
in a general way, to the keeping of poultry upon an 
ordinary scale. Witli slight daily care and attention, 
as above hinted, any farmer can keep his hundred or 
two of fowls, which may readily be tended and pro- 
vided for by the boys upon his estate, or even by the 
women of the household. From two hundred birds 
thus disposed he may obtain, annually, two thousand 
three hundred dozen of eggs, and, if inclined, at least 
fifteen hundred pounds of marketable chickens, before 
the close of August in each year. Tlie products will 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 85 

pay him from four liuiidred and fifty to five hmidred 
dollars in money ^ and leave him his original stock for 
the next year. His expenses will be not over two hun- 
dred to two hundred and fifty dollars, thus furnishing 
him with an equal sum of profit upon say two hundred 
fowls. Half this number will afford him half as much 
certain income, or nearly so. The cost of keeping 
fowls in such quantities as are alluded to, would not 
exceed sixty-five cents per head, if all their food is 
purchased and corn be rated at seventy cents the bushel. 
With the .run of the farm, of course, the expense would 
be lessened. This leaves a handsome profit upon the 
investment. 

The calculation here made as to returns in eggs, is 
set down at an annual yield of 140 eggs to each hen. 
This is fully up to the average, under the best care, 
and upon high feed. Some fowls will lay more than 
this number, but these are exceptions. From 120 to 
140 eggs, yearly, is a generous supply, and I have never 
known any fowls except the Chinese, or the cross al- 
ready described, that would accomplish more than this. 
The hen spoke u of by some writers that *' lays every 
day in the year" is a myth. By extra attention and 
care as to cleanliness and range in summer, with warm 
shelter and animal food in winter, fowls may be made 
to lay somewhat more liberally than is stated. But 
this forcing is done at too great a pecuniary cost, and 
also at the expense of their health, for they quickly 
become exhausted and worthless by the process. Hens 
will lay only a given number of eggs annually^ and it is 



f/'^. 




86 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

only by hatching your chickens early in the spring that 
they mature in season to lay during the succeeding fall 
and winter. The secret of having hens to lay in winter 
lies not (as asserted by some) so much in feeding them 
peculiarly, at that season, as in the simple fact of 
hatching out the pullets in the right month of the year to 
bring them to maturity in the fall. 

As to the feed, variety is essential to the high condi- 
tion and health of the birds. Fowls permitted to run 
at large, it will always be observed, are continually on 
the lookout for change in their diet. Insects, grass- 
hoppers, worms, stray bits of animal and vegetable food, 
are devoured by them greedily at all times, and are 
sought for in every cranny and corner. Grains, bread 
crumbs, small bones, &c., are very grateful to them. 
So it is better to follow nature, in feeding them, as 
closely as possible. 

For fattening fowls the best corn is the cheapest 
standard for food in this country. Boiled rice and po- 
tatoes and shorts or " middlings " of wheat are excel- 
lent. Small potatoes and broken or even " damaged " 
rice, which can usually be readily obtained in any large 
city, serve an admirable purpose, and will be found 
economical for every-day feeding. Occasional allow- 
ances of barley or oats, or both, are highly advantage- 
ous to laying fowls. Sunflower seeds, which can be so 
easily grown profusely along the entire range on botli 
sides of all fences, without taking up room or causing 
any trouble save the original planting, are one of the 
very best alteratives and changes in diet that can be ob- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 87 

tained, and fowls will devour these with a gusto, always. 
In the writer's judgment, fowls should never be stinted 
in food. As much as they will eat without waste, and 
of the best, is deemed the most economical in the end ; 
and this method will keep poultry always in good con- 
dition for the spit at brief notice, while laying fowls are 
thus continuously supplied with the material for afford- 
ing the largest number of eggs regularly after they begin 
to lay. When the poultry is necessarily confined with- 
in enclosures, coarse meat, such as sheeps' plucks, liver, 
the harslets of swine, pounded bones, obtainable at the 
nearest slaughter-house at* very trifling cost, should be 
given them as frequently as thrice a week. They will 
devour tliis food eagerly, and it supplies the place of 
that which they need and obtain when allowed to range 
at liberty. Where large quantities of fowls are kept, 
they must of necessity be confined in colonies, to com- 
paratively limited quarters, and artificial high feeding 
becomes necessary, while some sort of animal food is 
requisite to keep them laying, and in good condition. 

Male chickens intended for the market may be 
kept together advantageously in considerable num- 
bers in the same coops, if brought up together from 
the outset. No pullets should ever be placed in these 
cages or yards. As fast as the birds reach the proper 
size and weight for killing, they should be disposed 
of. For this particular purpose, cock chickens are 
the most profitable, as they furnish more meat at a 
given age, and are of no account (in numbers) other- 
wise, after they attain to a size suitable for the table. 



88 



BURNIIAM S NEW POULTRY-BOOK ; 




FIG. 3 — UANGE OF SUMMER OPEN CHICKEN HOUSES — FltONT. 

These male birds should be well fed from the shell. 
They will generally pay a large profit upon the invest- 
ment, and may be killed at from four to six months old. 

The plan of a fowl house already given (see figures 1 
and 2) is such as the writer had in use for some years, 
in size, proportions, and appointments. Below is the de- 
sign of houses adopted by him also for many years for 
summer use only, in which large numbers of chickens 
are annually raised for the market, and which are built 
at trifling cost. 




FIG. 4. — SUAIMER OPEN CJIlCKhN HOUSES — KEAIt. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 89 




FIG. 5. — GROUND PLAN OF OPEN SUMMER CHICKEN COOPS. 

Six of the compartments (or coops) are under one 
roof, and four different houses stand at the four angles 
of an oblong square of land half an acre in extent, 
thus : 



— 


O] 


PEN 


coo 


PS. 








OPI 


:n c 


OOP 


5. 






(Half an acre, or more. ) 








Clump of Trees for shade. 




OPEN COOPS. 




OPEN COOPS. 1 





























This arrangement colonizes the different lots of chick- 
ens, with the mothers, from March or April to June and 
forward, and separates each from interference with the 
others. The land might be subdivided into four lots, 



90 burnham's new poultry-book; 

but the expense of fencing would be considerable, of 
course, and has not been found necessary upon the 
writer's system of management. In each of the six 
coops indicated, have been kept from early March or 
April, twenty-five or thirty chickens, with two or three 
hens each, the aggregate upon the half acre in the four 
houses, averaging during the summer 600 to 650 chick- 
ens, raised for and sold in market from June to August. 
A portion of the chickens, say one-fourth, are allowed 
to run into the whole lot (which is in grass) during 
three or four hours daily, when they are driven in and 
another fourth part are released for exercise. 

One house is usually devoted to male bh-ds, exclusive- 
ly. In the fall, a few of the finest of both sexes are 
selected to add to the next year's breeding stock, and 
the balance, seven or eight months old, are sold for con- 
sumption, at thirteen to fourteen cents per pound, pay- 
ing a profit of 40 per centum at least, on cost, interest 
on investment, keep and care. During the season, fine 
samples of birds for breeding purposes are sold in limit- 
ed numbers, readily, at better rates even. 

These open or summer coops described, are construct- 
ed of laths or paling-stuff upon all sides, and are pro- 
tected by a shed roof, battened over the seams. The 
height of the front is eight feet, the rear six feet. The 
doors (to each subdivision) are also made of the same 
open or lattice-work, or palings, and each division is 
twelve feet by seven. The six divisions make each 
house about forty feet by twelve. This is cheaply built, 
but is ample for all the purposes of raising the chickens 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 91 

to marketable condition, from the .time they leave the 
hatching-house with the hen-mothers, as described. 

The floors of the houses should never be hoarded. 
The earth is much better, cheaper and healthier. The 
roosts described are movable (being rested upon crotch- 
es) and may be set up in any portion of the coops 
where most convenient. If the floor is kept hard and 
dry, the sweepings from the cages may readily be saved 
and removed to the compost-heap, twice a week or 
oftener. In any of the northern States, even, such coops 
as the above (for summer months) are far preferable to 
close houses of any kind, for tlie rearing of chickens. 
The boarding of the roofs, and partially down the 
sides from the eaves to the lathing, (as shown in the 
engraving,) affords ample protection from the wet 
weather, and the young birds are thus early inured to 
tlie open air, and invariably do well with good feed and 
the daily run they have in the grass plat in front. 

The winter laying and sitting house described below, 
(figures 7 and 8) may be also used for summer chicken- 
raising, if desired. The sashes in front can be taken 
out and lattice-work substituted ; or the frames of the 
windows can be covered with two-inch mesh-wire screen- 
ing, which is inexpensive and very durable. By this 
change the poultry-house is rendered cool and airy, 
which for the " heated term," would be found too close 
and warm, for summer use, with the glass windows. 
This house should be carefully cleansed in the spring, 
after the early chickens are removed to the open coops, 
which should be located, of course, on another part of 



92 burnham's new poultry-book ; 



the lot, and if in the whitewash-tub is thrown a pound 
or two of powdered sulphur, the wash will be greatly im- 
proved, so far as aiding to destroy any vermin present 
is concerned. 

The lattice-coops will have already been cleansed, of 
course, for the reception of the young birds. The entire 
fixtures in these chicken-houses consist of a water-vessel 
for each, a feed-box, a low roost upon brackets, and a 
dust-box, two feet square for ashes. Into this latter it 
has been found a good plan to mix with the ashes a 
handful of powdered sulphur, occasionally, which helps 
to destroy vermin. In a few weeks from their entrance 
to these coops, the chickens will follow the mothers to 
the low roosts, and I have never found any difficulty in 
keeping two or three hens with their broods in each of 
these compartments. Beneath the eaves front and back, 
a board a foot wide forms a facia, beyond which (upon 
the lowest side) the roof overhangs about five inches, to 
carry off the rain. The whole arrangement is put to- 
gether of rough boards and laths or fence-palings, and 
its cost is very moderate. I have had these in use, now, 
for twelve years, and have found them all that is needed 
for summer houses for market poultry. 

Now, if six hundred chickens can be produced thus 
successfully upon a half-acre lot, no good reason natural- 
ly appears that any given number may not be similarly 
raised — for market purposes, be it remembered — and 
kept, advantageously, from the early hatching period 
suggested, through the summer months, while the 
weather will commonly permit of their being left com- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 93 

paratively in the open air. To attempt to house large 
numbers of fowls in close quarters during the severe 
winters at the north, is not recommended. Thus in 
order to raise chickens by hundreds or thousands, a 
great deal of space is necessary, as I have already aimed 
to show. 

Now, when winter approaches, and the weather gets 
too cold for comfort, upon the plan suggested, all the 
previous spring and early summer chickens will from 
time to time have matured and been disposed of, and 
only the fowls for winter laying and the next spring 
sitting remain on hand. The accommodations of the 
previous year are now used for the convenience of these 
birds, say from October to February, and March, and 
the hatching oi their broods, subsequently — their chick- 
ens, in turn being transferred, in due time, to the open 
cages described. 

For the accommodation of the layers^ and afterwards 
for the sitters in early spring-time, the plan on the fol- 
lowing page is in use by the writer. (Fig. 7. and 8.) 
This house for sitters and layers, furnished with great 
simplicity, has been found ample for the purposes indi- 
cated. The building was erected ten years since, of 
rough No. 4 boards, set upright upon a two by four-inch 
joist frame-work, with four-inch corner-posts and cen- 
tre-studs, and is battened upon the outside (over the 
seams) with three-inch paling-stuff. The roof was fin- 
ished in the same manner, but shingling is better for this 
purpose. The corner-posts of the central portion of the 
building are sixteen feet high, the pitch is " one-third," 














• 

2 




5 


i 




3 
H 










< 




1^ 

Q 
!«5 

D 

a: 
;5 




















1 












00 


1 




•< 

CO 




H 


) 


■k 


s 

M 
fa 


" 










I'Xi 


L5- 




1 s«l 


^@u. 




-2l 











A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 95 

and the dimensions of this part are seventeen by fifteen 
feet. The two wings (as shown in the elevation) are 
shed-roofed, falling bacl^: from the front, are twelve feet 
high, running down to seven and a half feet in rear, 
fifteen feet wide, and extend right and left from the out- 
side of the central building, in each direction forty-five 
feet, making the whole house ninety-six feet long by 
hl'teen feet in width, except the centre, which (for orna- 
ment in this instance) projects out two feet in front, as 
shown. 

This house is surmounted by a cupola five feet 
square, with a vane, which adds to the comeliness of 
the premises, but need not be indulged in except to 
suit the taste of the builder. The central portion is 
two stories high, as is Fig. 1. The upper loft is floored 
over, and is useful for storing grains and vegetables, 
corn, &c., and can be turned to good account for cook- 
ing food for your fowls, if desired, or, by a proper 
contrivance, can be made the centre for a heating 
apparatus to add to the comfort of the birds (with pipes 
running right and left) during the coldest of weather. 
This loft is approached by a ladder from the rear, 
outside, through a door above the upper floor in the 
gable end. The building may be whitewashed upon 
the exterior, and made to look clean and respectable, 
or it can be clapboarded and painted to correspond with 
the residence or other farm buildings. To economize 
the cost it may be put up with boards and battenings 
simply, with the commonest glass sashes — tight, com- 
fortable, and very serviceable, at moderate expense, and 



96 burnham's new poultry-book; 

will last many years, if properly /ramecZ. The sashes 
are upon a line in front, and are glazed in the manner 
already indicated in plan. Fig. 1. In this house about 
fifty hens can be conveniently set at one time — say, in 
the ten apartments* five each — who will not interfere 
with each other if properly cared for, daily. During the 
late fall and winter months, this building will accommo- 
date, in its ten divisions, over a hundred laying hens 
comfortably. 

During the early spring, an average of a dozen eggs 
may be placed under your sitters, and, with good luck, 
four hundred chickens may be produced, and these from 
the earliest broods. These may be removed in due 
time to the " open houses," and another fifty hens may 
be placed upon the nests vacated by the first ones, who, 
with proper care, will bring out another four hundred 
chickens, more or less, say in six weeks after the earlier 
sittings. It will be understood that upon the removal 
of the first broods, the sitting boxes should be nicely 
cleansed before the second hens are placed upon the 
nests. By the time the second broods come ofi*, it will 
be the last of March or the first of April. 

All the young stock may be safely transferred to the 
open houses by the beginning of May, where they can 
thenceforward be fed and cared for as previously di- 
rected, and fitted, like their predecessors of the year 
before, for the summer and fall market. From the new 
stock the best samples of pullets are selected again, to 



* The length of page in this Poultry Book is insufficient to show the ten 
compartments, so we show only eifj/ht. They are all alike, however. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 97 

add to the next year's breeding stock, as before ; the 
old fowls (two years of aoje) are killed, the young cocks 
are all put in separate houses, to be used for the earliest 
maturing and largest chickens, and affairs go on during 
the fall, as during the season previous. 

By adopting the plans thus laid down, with the build- 
ings and appointments herein suggested, a thousand 
chickens can be readily and profitably raised for the 
summer market, annually, while ample conveniences 
are thus afforded, also, for at least one hundred laying 
hens during the winter months in the glazed house, 
(Figs 7 and 8.) If the desire be to raise more, in- 
creased space must be accorded to your fowls, and more 
buildings should be erected. It will not answer to in- 
crease the huddling of the birds under one roof. If 
the buildings are smaller even than those described, and 
more numerous, being scattered over acres, instead of 
confining the stock mentioned to half an acre, and to a 
building of the size given, it will be all the better for 
the general health of the birds, undoubtedly. Crowd- 
ing fowls into too narrow a space, is one great cause of 
the fatalities attending the attempt to breed them. 

Fresh air, light, cleanliness, varied fare, pure water, 
range, grass or occasional green and animal food, 
shelter from wet and raw winds, with plenty of gravel 
and ashes to roll themselves in, are all requisites to 
success. With these advantages and fair attention, 
provision being made for the warmth and comfort of 
the laying hens in winter, chickens can be raised for the 
table and for market in any quantities, and to highly 



98 burnham's new poultry-book; 

satisfactory profit ; and eggs in abundance may also be 
had, in any dry location within reasonable distance of 
the larger cities and towns of America, as has been 
proved through years of experience, and of successful 
experiments." 

An infallible mode for preserving eggs fresh and in 
perfect condition through the year, is given in chapter 
XXIX. This plan is for saving eggs for consumption, 
or sale, only — not for future hatching, of course. In 
July and August, eggs are worth a cent and a half 
each, on the average. This is the time to " lay them 
down " most economically. From Thanksgiving to 
Christmas, they bring three to four cents apiece. The 
gain to any family, by this simple and certain means, 
(or to the egg-seller,) is apparent. The cost of the 
process is but nominal. 

The sale of poultry, dead or alive, in France, is con- 
ducted on an admirable and judicious plan ; much 
better than is our system of marketing this article, in 
America. All the poultry is sold in Paris, at La Yallee, 
the metropolitan market, at auction, daily. The chief 
city agents, to whom the farmers consign their poultry, 
eggs and butter, are licensed by the authorities, who 
sell it at public vendue, at a certain hour, and fore- 
stalling is unknown there. The highest bidder gets the 
poultry, and the scene at these sales is a very interest- 
ing and active one. So in the smaller towns. At the 
ringing of a bell, the crates, boxes and baskets are first 
uncovered, and the bidding is very lively, for choice, 
the buyers taking their position outside the market- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 99 

place ; and in a little time after the opening, thousands 
of eggs and thousands of chickens are knocked off to 
the highest offers, to be sent at once to London, Paris, 
&c., for consumption. 




"PLYMOUTH EOCK" FOWL. 




CHAPTER YIII. 



MODERN FOWL-HOUSES, COOPS, CHICKEN-CAGES, ETC. 



Having given in the last chapter economical plans of 
some of our own Fowl-houses, Summer-coops for chick- 
ens, etc., we will now offer other illustrations possessing 
merits, both exteriorly and interiorly ; and the first is 
that of a very convenient well-fashioned one, ventilated 
at the top. 

The above cut represents a very good and cheaply 
constructed Fowl-house, with glass sash-front, mostly 
facing the south and east. It is simple, yet ample to 
shelter a moderate number of chickens, in winter ; and 
if it can be thrown up (with the riglit aspect) the back 
side against a high stone wall, or upon a barn side, out 
of the way, it can be built for a trifle. The door may 
be on either side, and fowls can enter or leave it from 
the front, as shown in the engraving. The sash may 

100 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



101 



be run up, on the front of the roof, four to six feet ; 
which lets in more sun and light. It can be divided by 
a slat partition, inside, and two varieties can thus be 
kept to advantage — letting the fowls out for a run al- 
ternately, a few hours, daily. The arrangement of the 
nests, roosts, etc., can be similar to other plans to be 
found in our pages ; and the size of it may be 30ft, 
front, by 20 deep, to afford accommodation for a dozen 
to twenty fowls, in each side, amply — if care is taken 
to keep them cleanly, constantly. The height can be 
four to five feet front, run up back to ten or twelve 
feet, as convenient. This proportion of slant wil^ serve 
to carry off the rains. The roof-sash should be laid on 
in the green-house form, in order that tlie water may 
run off free over the eaves. Here is a very nice arrange- 
ment for late winter and the spring season. 




GLASS CHICKEN-HOUSE, GREEN-HOUSE PLAN. » 

The above is a plan for a half span glass-roofod 



102 burnham's new poultry-book; 

house, put up on mj own premises some years ago, and 
of another of tlie same class in use by my next-door 
neighbor, for a cold grapery, originally ; but serving 
admirably for the raising of young early broods of 
chickens, in which they grow finely. My own is 60 by 
16 feet, with a plank tan-packed double partition-wall 
on the north side. The top and other three sides are 
all glazed, in the usual green-house mode. The range 
of small lower sashes (beneath the front eaves) open 
at pleasure, for ventilation ; the framework inside of the 
sashes being covered the whole length with coarse wire 
screening, to prevent the birds from getting out, when 
the windows are open. Entrance on the west end. 
For chickefts hatched in March and April, this has 
proved a most excellent shelter, and they have come 
along during these cold months, and on through May, 
very rapidly — under the genial warmth that pervades 
the interior of this glass-house in sunny weather. It 
is more expensive than some others, but I have found 
it an excellent arrangement for the young chicks, during 
the early inclement New England weather. And for 
valuable fancy stock, nothing in the way of a spring 
fowl-house can excel it. 

"Topknot," in the N. Y. Bulletin, says — one of his 
fowl houses, is built as follows. Size thirty feet long, 
by sixteen feet deep, posts eight feet high — boarded 
and battened. Roof pitching both ways and covered 
with cement and gravel. Three winddws in front and 
rear, two feet high and six feet long, close up under the 
caves, so as to give a good circulation of air above the 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 103 

fowls ; sliding skyliglits in the roof in front, which to- 
gether with the other windows have wire netting, and 
are kept open, except in the coldest of the weather. 
The floor is rat-proof, being made of cement grouting ; 
one third of it is six inches higher than the rest, and 
kept clean to feed on. The low part has three inches 
of sand upon it, and over this the fowls roost. The 
perches are hung on hinges to the side of the building, 
and are raised up in the day time, and when let down 
for use at night, are 20 inches above the floor. It is 
very important for large fowls that the roosts should be 
large, so that they can sit comfortably on them and not 
injure their breast bones, and close to the floor, so that 
that they will not injure themselves in coming down. 
The building, which fronts southeast, and is lath-and- 
plastered, is divided in three rooms, with board parti- 
tions three feet high, and wire netting above. Large 
yards for each, with fence four feet high, which is 
sufficient for Asiatic fowls, also extra yards to change 
and give the grass a chance to grow. This will give 
the reader some idea of what the writer thinks a model 
Fowl house. 

Among the best patterns of American poultry-houses, 
is that of Mr. John C. Wells, of Athens, Pa., though it 
is not a very large one. But for the ordinary fancier, 
or breeder of two or three varieties of fowl, it is ample. 
He describes it as 40 feet in length, 12 feet walls, and 
10 1-2 feet to the roof-peak. It is of a light frame, 
ceiled outside, the roof boarded and shingled. It is 
divided into six compartments, five being devoted to 



104 burnham's new poultry-book; 

the fowls. The first compartment is for setting hens, 
&c. These divisions are 9 by 10 feet, separated from 
each other by a picket and slat fence. In each part 
are five nests, a neat drinking fountain, boxes of ground 
bone, gravel, ashes, etc., with a feed gutter, slatted 
across to prevent the birds from fouling or wasting 
their food. 

Large windows of 30 lights of glass each, 8 by 10, 
light up the interior, and afford the fowls plenty of sun ; 
and at the south end are other windows used for venti- 
lation, &c. There are six outer yards, one for each 
compartment, 80 feet by 10 feet. The premises are 
painted outside, whitewashed inside, and the floor is of 
gravel. Mr. Wells breeds the Dark and Light Brahmas, 
Houdan, Black Spanish and White Dorkings. He has 
some fine spring chickens, and his manner of raising 
them proves very satisfactory. He has no gapes, nor 
has his chickens been troubled by vermin. He sets his 
hens in small kegs with the tops out, covered with wire 
netting ; a hole is cut in the side for the hen to go in 
and out, and the inside is white-washed, or washed with 
kerosene oil. (The latter is a very good plan.) 

When he has a hen that is broody, he scalds the keg 
with boiling water, to cleanse it, makes a nest with cut 
hay or straw, and to keep the lice out he either places 
tobacco leaves in the bottom of the keg, or wood ashes 
and sulphur. When the chickens are liatched, he re- 
moves all pieces of shell and bad eggs from the nest, 
and does not disturb ilicm again for 24 hours, when he 
feeds them with hard boiled eggs, crumbled. In about 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 105 

two days he removes them from the nest and puts them 
in a coop with a wooden floor, covered with dry earth, 
and .when they are two or three weeks old, they are 
taken from the hen, and put in charge of his " Artificial 
Mother," until they are old enough to roost, then they 
are placed in other quarters. (This artificial mother 
is A. M. Halsted's, of Rye, N. Y., we are informed,) and 
Mr. Wells says of it that '' it works splendidly, and 
everybody is in ecstacies over it." (See page 132.) 

In the rear of Mr. Wells' six yards is a very large 
grass plat, enclosed by a tight board fence, 9 feet high ; 
and his fowls have access to this run, alternately, 
through small gates at the foot of the yards. Mr. W. 
has latterly found it necessary to sheathe his building, 
and has done so with felt and siding, which increases 
the warmth inside greatly, in cold weather. This 
building, complete, cost $600. But it could be built for 
less. We have one on a similar plan, of our own, 
described hereafter, glazed, whitened, battened, etc., 
30 by 25, in three divisions, that cost less than $300, 
all told. Two hundred dollars ought to build and 
equip a very good fowl-house, large enough for summer 
and winter uses, with good yard-range accommodations 
outside, for all the purposes of an amateur who breeds 
only two or three varieties. 

Here is another plan, copied from " Tucker's Annual 
of Rural Affairs," very good, and quite inexpensive. 
This is large enough to afford interior accommodations 
for thirty fowls, and is proposed to be built ten- by six- 
teen feet. It is thought by another writer in the U. S. 



106 



burnham's new poultry-book ; 



Report quoted from, that fifty fowls would not over- 
stock such a house, but he adds, at once, that " experi- 
ence teaches us that it is unsafe to house in one apart- 
ment more than fifty fowls, at the same time, and even 
with that number, ventilation should always be free, 
during the coldest of weather." Ventilation should be 
good and ample, ahvays^ and thirty chickens would be 
enough to house within such limits as are described 
below, for this 




NEAT AND CHEAP POULTRY-HOUSE. 



Let the house face the east or southeast; and it 
would be an improvement to stud the building all round 
with three-inch studs, and to line it with inch matched 
stuff. It should be covered with sound, matched 
boards, and battened. The spaces between the studs 
should be filled in with dry tan ; and it would add 
greatly to its warmth to make the roof double also, and 
fill as at the sides. The floor should be ten or twelve 
inches higher than the earth* on the outside of the 
building, and the best material of which to make it is 
a mixture of sand and gravel, pounded down very 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 107 

firmly. Plant deciduous trees thickly about the house 
to keep it cool in summer. Perches for the Shanghas 
and Dorking should not be over two or three feet high ; 
for Spanish, about four feet ; and for Games and Ham- 
burgs, five feet high would not be too much. 





i^^msK. 












ROOSTING 


ROOMS. 






FEEDING 

NE8TS. 


ROOMS. 

NESTS. 


I 
























FIG. 1. — GROUND PLAN. 



FIG. 2 — A CROSS SECTION. 



These two last cuts above, show (1) the lower ar- 
rangements inside, with roosts, nest, &c. ; and the other 
(2) the end elevation. The writer continues to com- 
mend what we have already advised — that every house 
should have its dry dust-bath box, lime, pounded oyster- 
shells, etc., and fresh pure water, daily. Here is a 
handy portable " tent-coop," for either a sitting hen, or 
hen and chickens, for the first month or two after hatch- 
ing, and a slatted feeding gutter. 




FEKD-TKOUGH AND TEM-COOP. 



108 



burnham's new poultry-book ; 



This coop is battened and made like the pitch-roof 
of a house or barn, 2 feet high, 4 feet square, simply ; 
has no floor, but is held together at the two ends by a 
four-inch cross-strap of boarding ; slatted in front so 
the hen cannot get out, and the chickens can ; and may 
be moved about and set in a new place daily, if desirable. 
The feed-trough is a broad gutter, with two square ends 
to hold it upright, and slatted across (as before explain- 
ed) to keep the fowls from scattering their food. Both 
these are handy, and easily made. 

In this same Department Report for 1862, another 
writer furnishes a few plans of cheap poultry-houses 
which we give here, and wliich are, briefly, thus de- 
scribed. 




A PRETTY FOWL HOUSE. 



" Let it front to the south and east ; build with nine 
feet posts a room eight by thirteen feet, on the ground. 
This will accommodate two dozen fowls — sufiicient for 
one family's use, or for breeding any single ' fancy ' vari- 
ety. A dove-cot can be arranged in one end if desired, 
to which one gable window will afford sufiicient light 
for that purpose. The nest-boxes may be placed over 
the feeding-boxes, two or three feet from the floor, as 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 109 

may be convenient." ( We should recommend that the 
size be at least ten by fifteen feet, however, since it costs 
little more, and is much more roomy than the above.) 
" Lay a tight matched floor about six feet above the 
lower floor. The roosting-poles should be placed 
crosswise of the gable, and near the stairway, com- 
mencing at the bottom next the stairway, the first about 
eighteen inches distant and so on to the top. The lol't 
should be cleaned daily, or have a daily sprinkling of 
dry black muck, or disintegrated burnt clay, or burnt 
plaster ; the whole to be removed frequently, and care- 
fully put into barrels or boxes under cover, for the future 
use of the farm or garden. A door should be made in 
the rear-side of the dove-box for its frequent cleaning. 
A trap-door may be made over the back end cf the en- 
try, to be reached by a perpendicular round ladder, to 
get to the dove-box." 

A very well contrived coop for a hen and chickens, 
was awarded a prize at the late N. Y. show, and the fol- 
lowing account of it is given in the Poultry Bulletin. 
It is both simple and practical, and any one can readily 
make it on the farm. 

This handy contrivance is made as follows. " The 
floors are two feet wide and four feet long, on half of 
which, is built a house two and a half feet high to the 
"peak ; half of the roof is on hinges, to facilitate the 
cleaning of the coop, a sliding door is in the back, and 
a small hole with wire netting on in the peak for ventil- 
ation. The otlier half of tlie floor has a glazed frame 
on it, twelve inches high at the house, and eight at the 



110 



burnsam's new poultry-book 



end ; the sash hinged, through which tlie chickens may 
be fed, the sides have sliding doors, to be closed at 
night, which makes it rat proof. This makes a nice 
place for the chickens to run and feed in, during a 
storm, and in the mornings before the grass is dry." It 
may be made somewhat larger than this, to advantage, 
we should say. But the general plan is a very good 
one. And below is a simple ground-plan for a cheap 
hen house and yard for the use of one variety, say 30 
to 50 fowls. 















C 
C 

c 


Open Yard — 1-4 of an acre. 




Nes 
1 


'S, 




O 


1 1 




d. 




— 


< 


Dry Fee 










ROOSTS, 

3 to 6 ft. from 
ground. 





GROUND PLAN OF YARD AND FOWL HOUSE. 

Let the aspect be to the south, or south-cast, and 
make your three apartments by slat partitions, with 
doors to communicate, about 10 by 20 feet each — the 
central (feeding) one the largest perhaps. Fence the 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 111. 

yard with palings four to six feet high, according to the 
kind of fowls you keep. Fit their roosts one above an- 
other, two feet apart, from three to six feet high. Keep 
your box of dry feed, ashes, etc., in the middle room. 
Place half a dozen nests in the end apartment ; make 
these in boxes 12 to 14 inches square and deep. Have 
your open yard or run, a quarter of an acre if possible, 
or larger, if you have spare land. A half or quarter of 
this open space will answer, if kept clean. But fowls 
love range, and room to roam in. Light it from the front 
south side, with sash from the ground sill upward, to 
eaves. It may be a lean-to, or pitched roof, battened — 
8 foot corner posts — -fowl entrances from yard — main 
door outside at either end. 

I still adhere to the opinion as expressed in my 
paper quoted from the Department Report, that " it 
will not answer to increase the huddling of birds under 
one roof," and that " crowding fowls into too narrow a 
space is one great cause of the fatalities attending this 
attempt to breed them." Yet I believe that if the 
general directions contained in this and the last chap- 
ters are followed out as therein proposed, large numbers 
of chickens and eggs can be so raised for market pur- 
poses^ to advantage. 

The fact will not be lost sight of here, that through 
the mode I have there suggested, the great hulk of the 
chickens so raised will be disposed of during the sum- 
mer, to be eaten, at so much per pound, dead weight. 
Thus the stock brought up from spring to autumn will 
be out of the way. No such numbers of fowls could 



112 



burnham's new poultry-book; 



be ivintered within the accommodations of the poultry- 
houses therein described, of course ; and this is not the 
purpose of the recommendations quoted. 

The plan, however, has worked within the limits de- 
scribed to advantage, and as is proposed in the closing 
paragraphs of the article mentioned, if more than say a 
thousand chickens are to be raised, increased space 
must be accorded, and more buildings must be put up. 
Instead of half an acre, scatter the houses over acres, 
and '* colonize " the birds at a distance from each 
other's premises. In no otlier way can you succeed. 




KAT-PKOOF COKN-BIN. 



Here is a plan for a cheap rat-proof corn or grain 
house, which may be set upon stone or cedar posts, 
eighteen inches above the ground ; to be built to suit 
the needs or convenience of the poulterer, in which may 
be safely stored corn and grain out of the reach of 
vermin. A small ventilator at the top serves to keep 
the contents from heating or mould, when stored within 
it in large quantities. The shape of this bin is smallest 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 113 

at the bottom, where the sills rest on square pieces of 
plank, 15 inches wide and long, fastened to the tops of 
the projecting piles (of stone or wood) as shown in the 
drawing. From this narrower foundation, the bhi 
widens out at each side, to the eaves. It may be built 
of rough boarding, running up and down, and battened, 
roof and all. A slatted window, or blind, in front over 
the door, improves its appearance. No steps are 
necessary, unless it is preferred to have a flight hung 
upon hinges, to turn up, when not in use, outside the 
door. With this arrangement, the poultry-keeper may 
have a convenient depository for his grain, where rats 
cannot trouble him. 




HEN AND CHICKENS' COOP. (Described on page 110.) 

The " Patent Folding Coop," or Pen, is a very con- 
venient and desirable invention, originated by G. E. 
Cleeton, of New Haven, Conn., intended for use in the 
Poultry Exhibition room, and which, for uniformity's 
sake, in our shows, we should say is just the thing for 
the purpose to which this seems admirably adapted. 
Fowls may be shown in this neat cage to good advau 



114 burnham's new poultry-book 



1 



tage, as it is open at the top, front and back, and the 
judges can readily see and handle the fowls thus 
cooped. This cage of Mr. Oleeton's is not expensive, 
and folds up into a thin space, when not in use. It can 
thus be transported to and from a distance, easily. It 
is light, safe, strong, and pretty. Several premiums 
have been awarded this practical and useful coop, and 
it is certainly a very good and handy arrangement, as, 
during the journey, birds may be shipped in common 
boxes, and on arriving at their destination, the folding 
coops may be opened out, when the birds can be 
arranged for exhibition. The trouble and expense of 
sending a large number of ordinary coops has often 
deterred breeders from sending their birds to distant 
exhibitions. 




COOP OPENKD AND SET UP. 



But we have now said enough of ^ovfl-houses. The 
plans herein set down can be chosen from to suit the 
taste, means, and premises of the breeder or fancier, 
and he can expend twenty, fifty, or a thousand dollars 
on these structures, as he pleases. The most impor- 
tant point is to get the right aspect, and let into the 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 115 

house all the sun and light he can conveniently, in cold 
weather, especially if he attempts to hatch and raise 
chickens early in the season. The birds (of all larger 
breeds) that are successfully got out of their shells, 
and are subsequently best cared for in the earliest 
months of the year^ are the ones that " loom up " in the 
succeeding fall and winter, for the shows ; while pullets 
thus started, are sure to begin to lay much earlier than 
tlie later liatched ones, and usually prove the " all- 
winter-laying breed," we hear so much about. 

But we must attentively follow nature's requirements, 
to breed poultry advantageously. Mr. R. H. Stoddard, 
of Hartford, writes correctly upon this point, when he 
avers, that " whenever we strive to make any animal 
live contrary to the habits its race has been for ages ac- 
customed to, we find that nature, unwilling to be thwart- 
ed, revenges herself in some way. The ivild hens, be- 
fore they were taken from their native forests had pure 
air to breathe, the free breezes circulated through their 
leafy roosting apartment, and their range was covered 
only by the sky. For the reason why fowls in extreme- 
ly large flocks refuse to lay freely, we must consult the 
conditions of nature. In the Indian jungles, the wild 
parent stock, like all allied species of fowls that live 
principally upon the ground, associate during the breed- 
ing season in small families, each having its male head, 
and appropriating an exclusive territory for a range. 
This being the law, as unalterable as that of the Medes 
and Persians, man must respect it. For three thousand 
years (perhaps six) men successfully kept domesticated 



116 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

fowls. They have succeeded by scattering Bmall flocks 
in every village, thus unconsciously imitating the state 
of things in the jungles of India. Herded together in a 
multitude, the ancient instinct thwarted, the yields will 
not be nearly so great as they were in flocks of tens or 
twenties. Scores of illustrations in poultry-keeping 
might be given where nature resists infractions of her 
laws. It will not do to neglect any point, because it 
seems a small matter. No ordinance of nature is small." 

The cause of the deficiency in the supply of poultry 
in the United States, it has been truly said, is found in 
the lack of careful, systematic enterprise among us. In 
certain locations, " fanciers " favor raising good birds, 
few in number, strictly for the show-rooms. Thousands 
of others pretend to " keep fowls," forgetting that with 
the right kind of systematic care, fowls may be made to 
keep them ! Poultry-raising upon an extensive scale, is 
a business altogether different from all this. The de- 
mand in the markets of this country is ever increasing, 
for eggs and chickens, for absolute consumption. And 
we have endeavored to show (in the last two chapters) 
that this demand may be met, without limit, if the 
raising of poultry is conducted upon system. 

But fowls should be attended to, like cattle, sheep, or 
other live stock — for they are more susceptible to dis- 
eases, and more delicate than the others. Many of the 
troubles incident to poultry may easily be prevented; 
for these come from ill management, or too often no 
management at all ; and he who undertakes to raise 
poultry in quantities, by merely crowding hundreds of 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 117 

birds together within confined limits, will simply " have 
his labor for his pains," in the end. 

At the same time, by colonizing his stock in conven- 
ient locations about the farm, or estate, each colony be- 
comes a separate establishment, by itself; and the ag- 
gregate results will tell — however large the aggregate 
numbers may be. 

Mr. E. C. Newton, of Batavia, 111., has had but a few 
years' experience in poultry-breeding, but has been quite 
successful, and writes us in this wise, regarding his 
fowl-house and stock. He says : " Few people who have 
interested themselves in this pleasant business begun as 
1 did. I was forced into the trade, because my neigh- 
bors' hens succeeded in scratching up my garden as fast 
as I could plant it ! I purchased a few Black Spanish 
fowl, at first, and found they could not be beaten at lay- 
ing eggs. My stock was out of birds imported from 
Scotland, and proved highly satisfactory, for one variety. 
I then remodelled my barn, and rendered it comfortable 
for my stock, and in the spring of '68, 1 bought a trio of 
the light Brahmas, from MassachuvSetts, with which 
breed I was greatly pleased. With care I raised 60 
chickens, the first season. I then sent to Connecticut 
for eggs, and raised six fine Buff Cochins, a few Ham- 
burgs, and Dominiques, Leghorns and Silver Polands. 
I kept only the Buff Cochins, however, until I heard of 
the dark Brahmas, and purchased my stock of these last 
at Philadelpliia — adding to my flock of breeders some 
fine Houdans, from Taunton, Mass. Out of all these 
varieties, I raised 260 chickens, and in 1870 procured 



118 burnham's new poultry-book 



1 



from New York a clutch of the Partridge Cochins — 
splendid fowl — in my judgment. 

I found my premises too contracted for my large and 
increasing fowl family, and then bought a thirty-acre 
farm near this city, moved on to it, and erected a 
spacious poultry-house 100 feet long, 12 to 20 feet in 
width, fronting south, well lighted and ventilated, and 
I am now located here, with what I consider a first class 
selected stock of five varieties, of which I send you illus- 
trations, drawn from life, and which are considered all 
good birds. My poultry-house is after a plan of my own. 
It is divided into ten apartments, one for boxing and 
packing fowls, etc., and the other nine partitioned off 
for the fowls' convenience. The partitions are of wire- 
work, and you can stand at one end and look through 
the whole length of the building, inside. Outside I have 
ten large yards divided by a seven foot fence of pickets, 
and my doors are arranged with wire connections, so 
that I can raise or close them all at once, from one 
spot. In front of my building is a raised story, contain- 
ing grain-bin, &c., and I have arranged spouts running 
down into the coops, or apartments, through which I 
can easily feed the grain. 

I feed from troughs or hoppers, for I believe that it is 
natural for fowls to eat as often as they feel inclined, 
and they will not eat too much, or more than they want, 
if food is left constantly before them. For dry feed, I 
give as great a variety as I can conveniently, and add 
a dinner of soft food twice a week, which I season with 
pepper, salt and sulphur, occasionally. A box of brok- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 119 

en bone, gravel, ashes, etc., is always at hand, with lime, 
and fresh clean water, daily. A few drops of tincture 
of iron, mixed with the water, I find excellent, and I 
think it a preventive. of gapes. At any rate, I have no 
gapes or chicken-cholera among my birds, yet. 

I sprinkle lime under the roosts, and clean out every- 
thing once a week, from the house-floors. As to a pref- 
erence of breeds, I will only add tliat, in my experience, 
the Spanish are very valuable as layers, when only eggs 
are wanted. The Houdan is another excellent layer 
and good for the table — among the best. Of the four 
Asiatic varieties, I find little difference except in color ; 
their habit is the same, generally. But I consider them 
far ahead of all others, for they lay well, reach good size, 
fatten easily, and will give you plenty of eggs, in the 
months when eggs are worth 50 to 75 cents the dozen, 
in market. This alone renders the Brahmas and 
Cochins highly valuable. I send you cuts of my fowls, 
and I have aimed to make them correct as possible, as 
likenesses of my fowls." (These drawings of Mr. New- 
ton's fowls, very fairly executed, will be found in their 
appropriate places, in our pages.) 

It has not escaped observation that many fowls have 
a penchant for eating the small feathers off their com- 
panions' necks and breasts, especially when they are in 
closely confined quarters, or in contracted poultry-houses. 
And this destructive disposition is particularly evinced 
among the black Spanish fowls, though other varieties 
indulge in this same pastime, upon opportunity. Very 
frequently this habit is noticeable with birds confined in 



120 burnham's new poultry-book. 



% 



cages, during exhibition days — to the great damage of 
their plumage, and the disgust of their owners. 

Whenever a poultry-keeper discovers this inclination 
among his fowls, if he will saturate a bit of sponge in 
common kerosene oil, (or spirits of turpentine) and 
bathe the parts wliich the offending fowls thus peck, 
it will quickly put an end to the birds' desire for further 
taste of that kind of edible. It may be necessary to fol- 
low up this sponging, with the liquid named, for a day 
or two. But it is a certain cure for this annoying dis- 
position on the part of grown fowls, who thus search 
for the blood-filled pin-feathers of their mates. But 
when they get a taste of the pungent spirits, they are 
done with this thing ! Generous feeding of animal food 
at such times, is a great preventive to their looking after 
this kind of nourishment, which they tear from the skins 
of their neighbors, to the serious detriment of their sub- 
missive associates in the fowl-liouse. 




WADE & henry's stone DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 




No 7. WHITE-FACED BLACK SPANISH. 

As bred by Jos. M. Wa<le, C. H. Kdinonds. A. M. Halsted, 
£. C. Newtun. and utherti. 



CHAPTER IX. 

ON ARTIFICIAL EGG-HATCHING. 

To this subject I propose devoting some few pages, 
though the process is little understood in America, 
and less practised among us. For mj^self, I have not 
attempted to hatch chickens by artificial heat, except 
in an experimental way, and have never succeeded in 
it, satisfactorily. Yet it is done — in England, France, 
Holland, and Belgium — to advantage, at the present 
time ; and in some countries it has long been practised 
to good profit, while the business of artificial hatching 
is being looked into somewhat in this country, latterly. 

The Egyptians have for centuries hatched chickens 
in enormous numbers, by means of artificial heat, in 
ovens, in steam-heated casks, etc. But we have not 
yet reached this point in the advancement of '' the art," 
and there are no poultry-raisers yet in this country who 
undertake thus to multiply domestic fowls, to any great 
extent. 

Monsieur De Reaumur desired in his experiments, 
long years ago, " that some method might be found out 
for hatching chickens in ^ a great quantity, at pleasure, 
121 



122 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

that would not require heavy expense, that might be 
easily practised in the country by the simplest rustics, 
even, and which might form an agreeable amusement 
to other classes there ; to all who take a pleasure in the 
variety of sights and operations the poultry-yard af- 
fords ; to those who delight in furnishing it in plenty 
with fowls of different species ; to those who, if asked 
zvhy the care thus taken should not be as reputable as 
that which we employ in cultivating plants, trees, and 
flowers, in a garden — would not hesitate upon their an- 
swer ; to those, in short, who, being apt to think that 
this subject is ennobled by its utility, think also that 
animate beings — such as birds — may furnish more 
satisfactory observations to a philosophical mind, than 
those that merely vegetate." And he concludes that 
" the care of multiplying fowls would thus become an 
employment worthy of such naturalists as have in a 
superior degree the talent of observation, that of con- 
triving experiments, and the constancy necessary to 
pursue them, to widely beneficial results." 

Mr. G. K. Geyelin, of London, visited France a few 
years since, under the auspices of a large English 
Poultry Company, for the purpose of examining into 
the modes pursued there in multiplying fowls in great 
numbers; and in his subsequent report to his associates, 
he mentions having met with four different plans in 
vogue, in Prance, for artificial incubation ; which, 
lliough said to answer well there, are yet (in his judg- 
ment) " far from being applicable to hatching in a com- 
mercial point of view. It matters indeed very little 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 123 

what system is adopted, provided the heat is maintained 
at an even temperature : to obtain this, various regula- 
tors have been invented, but none of which can as yet 
dispense with personal care. They all say that their 
regulators are perfect ; if the temperature of the room 
can be kept at the same degree of heat during incuba- 
tion, that then they can regulate the heat of the incuba- 
tor, to any given degree. But as such conditions of a 
uniform temperature are impossible to maintain, (con- 
sidering the variations in the temperature of the atmos- 
phere) he considers artificial hatching too expensive for 
ordinary purposes, and only to be adopted at certain 
times of the year ; and then only in establishments 
where the heat can be maintained at a uniform tem- 
perature, day and night, by personal care. He adds — 

" At the Jardin des Plantes, in Paris, the manager 
of the poultry department, M. Vallee, employs an ap- 
paratus of his own invention, which he has patented, 
and for which he has obtained prizes at two exhibitions. 
The principle consists of water, heated by means of a 
lamp, as a medium for hatching ; the temperature is 
regulated by admitting more or less cold air by means 
of a valve opened or closed by a mercury float. 

" At the Jardin d' Acclimatization two systems of 
artificial incubation are in use, and altliough both are 
on the hot-water principle, yet they differ materially ; 
the one is heated by means of a lamp and the tempera- 
ture regulated by a valve admitting more or less cold 
air, which is effected by a piston acted upon by the ex- 
pansion or condensation of air under different tempera- 



124 buenham's new poultry-book ; 

tures ; the other consists merely of a zinc box covered 
with non-conducting materials. This apparatus re- 
quires neither lamp, regulator, or thermometer, the hot 
water is renewed every twelve hours, and it is said to 
answer admirably. The eggs are placed in a drawer 
underneath the water tank, but I cannot help thinking 
that with an atmospheric temperature at or below 
freezing-point, it would be very difficult to prevent the 
rapid cooling of the water. 

" The last system of artificial hatching is that shown 
me by M. Manoury, at Mouy. It consists of an ordi- 
nary wine cask lined on the inside witli plaster of Paris. 
In this cask several trays with eggs are suspended, and 
the top of the cask is provided with a certain number 
of vent-holes for admitting air, which is regulated by 
means of vent-pegs : the cask is surrounded to the top 
with a thickness of about four feet of horse manure. 
Though I am assured that this principle answers well, 
I entertain serious doubts about it, for the same reasons 
as before stated." 

In this connection, we may say that in our own ex- 
periments in artificial incubation, we made use of the 
'' eccaleoMon^^ patented in 1850 by a Norfolk County 
mechanic ; which proved alike a very simple, and an 
unsuccessful affair, in our hands. This contrivance 
consisted of two large cylindrical tin vessels, one of 
which was so constructed as to set inside the other, 
leaving a space of about three fourths of an inch 
around the entire circumference and base of the smaller 
vessel. This space was filled with common whale oil, 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 125 

and this liquid was heated, from the flame of a triple- 
tubed spirit lamp, (attached underneath the bottom of 
the outside vessel,) to the requisite temperature, lOO'^ 
to 103^ Farenheit. Into the inner compartment, upon 
racks inserted for the purpose, we placed (at a time) 
three or four times, from a hundred to a gross of fresh 
laid eggs, lighted the lamp, covered the top, and set 
them to hatching. In a few instances, we found live 
healthy chickens, at the expiration of twenty-one days 
from the sitting. But the number of chicks obtained 
was so trifling, in comparison to the quantity of eggs 
otherwise used up in the process, and the constant 
vigilance found to be necessary to keep the temperature 
of the heated oil just right — night and day — was 
such that we abandoned the object sought, through that 
process, in disgust. 

More successful, however, has proved the newly in- 
vented apparatus of Americans for artificial chicken- 
hatching, which have been improved, and latterly per- 
fected by Messrs Jacob and Henry Graves of North 
Market street, Boston. These " improved incubators," 
have now been in operation under the inventor's super- 
vision at the place named, over a )^ear, I think — and I 
have seen a good many nice chickens hatched out with 
this contrivance. It has also been successfully in use 
in Pennsylvania, during the last year. The patentee 
describes this invention in the next chapter, and it may 
be seen in operation at his place, where he informs us 
it has worked very satisfactorily, thus far. It has been 
patented. 



126 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

By the Egyptian method of hatching eggs, in ovens, 
the estimate is made that over a hundred millions of 
chickens are hatched out, annually. But the difficulty 
after incuhation, is the rearing of the chicks. An Eng- 
lish author on this subject says that " being in London, 
I was driven to Cheswick by a friend, to visit Mr. 
Cantelo's " hydro-incubator," and it astonished me, to 
see at an inclement season, chickens of all ages, from 
those just emerging from the shell to that of being 
ready for the table, each in perfect health, and in such 
rude health as I had never seen. There had been 
reared, in one building, at one time, over 1300 ; all to 
be disposed of, from the London poulterers' shelves, 
and still not equal to the demand. The advantages of 
this mode are that they have no hen-mother to drag 
them through the wet ditches, or to trample them to 
death, and they have no hens or larger chickens to peck 
at them ; they have their artificial mother, kept up to 
the temperature of the natural mother ; and it is be- 
yond conception, how they will adhere to the warmth 
of this mother, prepared for tliem, and run in under the 
woolen cloth, as if it was natural to them. Each age 
has its separate compartment, with an opportunity, in 
fine weather, of passing out to a grass-plot ; and you 
will see them enjoying themselves in the open air, and, 
when at all chilled, returning to the artificial mother, 
and making themselves perfectly comfortable. 

" The hatching apparatus is a table, the upper part 
of whicli is kept up to 106 degrees, and is padded with 
Indian rubber ; the eggs are placed in a tray, with per- 



• A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 127 

forated bottom, and laid on a woolen cloth, and raised, 
to come in contact with the rubber, which sinks and 
covers the eggs as much as the natural mother is sup- 
posed to do ; thus nature is represented as nearly as 
possible. After incubation, the artificial mother con- 
sists of a number of heated pipes, about an inch and a 
quarter in diameter, and about the same distance apart; 
beneath these pipes is a sliding-board, which is always 
at such a height as to allow the backs of the chickens 
to touch the pipes, and is gradually lowered as they 
increase in size. This board is removed and cleaned 
every day, or replaced by another, which had served 
the day before, and had been cleaned and aired during 
the twenty-four hours preceding ; above the pipes (about 
an inch) is another board, similar to that below, from 
which descends a curtain in front of the mother ; this 
board serves the double purpose of economizing the 
warmth, and preventing the chickens from dirtying 
each other , — and the young chickens having been 
once placed beneath this mother, will only leave it to 
eat, drink, and exercise, and return to it, of their own 
accord. The patentee, Mr. Cantelo, has had equal 
success in rearing turkeys, pea, and guinea fowl ; and, 
although I have seen ducks in all quarters of Great 
Britain, I have never seen, in one lot, so fine a col- 
lection as those produced by the Hydro-Incubator. 
Having, on my journey, visited the great aviary of the 
Earl of Derby, I there found the Incubator in its per- 
fect working state, and was informed by his lordship's 
intelligent curator, that it was most valuable for hatch- 
ing out the eggs of foreign birds." 



n i mmimii i i i .imii iii uj„.„„i„iii„iiiiiii ill. an .ff 

J.i .n m. Ufl III I III I 




****»**-0Vc)I„TH.« 



GRAVES' IMPROVED INCUBATOR. 



CHAPTER X. 



PATENT INCUBATORS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 



The inventor of the above raised during the year 
1870 several fowls, hatched out in this machine, and he 
says of it — " It is a well known fact that all Incuba- 
tors hitherto brought before the public have failed to 
accomplish the work desired ; the reason of this being 
a lack of uniformity of incubating heat. We claim in 
our improvement, a uniformity of incubating heat ; 
which we obtain by the expansion and contraction of 
spirits and mercury, acting on floats w^hich are attached 
to levers ; these being so constructed, that when the 
spirits and mercury expand, it lifts the levers, thereby 
diminishing the blaze of the lamp, and also opening 
valves connected with the egg-drawer, whereby the hot 
air escapes. The heat necessary for hatching chickens 
is from 95<^ to 105^ ; but from 100^ to 103^ is the de- 
sired heat. Our machine is so constructed, that when 
ihe mercury reaches 100^, the lights on the lamps be- 
128 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 129 

gin to diminish. Should the heat continue to increase 
in the egg-drawer, and the mercury rise to 103^, the 
light is shut off, so that there is no heat from the lamps. 
Should the heat in the egg-drawer go above 103^, the 
valves connected with the egg-drawer are opened, and 
the hot air passes off, thereby cooling the egg-drawer ; 
and as the heat diminishes the valves close, and the 
light is let on to the lamps. Should the temperature in 
the egg-drawer go below 100^ the blaze iijcreases, on the 
lamps, thereby bringing the temperature back to the de- 
sired point. It will be seen at once that we have a self- 
regulating machine. This is what has been sought for 
for many years, and without which no incubator is suc- 
cessful." These gentlemen have also what appears to 
be a very good artificial mother which they sell to ac- 
company their Incubator, for the brooding of the newly- 
hatched chicks, and which is heated and the temperature 
guaged the same as in their Incubator, so that any de- 
sired heat can be maintained. With these artificial 
mothers and incubators are forwarded full directions for 
putting the machines into working order. 

The Incubator of A. M. Halsted, of Rye, N. Y., is 
another American invention, the proprietor of which 
states that it is the result of years of study and careful 
experiment. Every year brought some improvement. 
Success attended the working of his machine, and with 
the first one, even, imperfect as it then was, three- 
fourths of the eggs placed in it were successfully 
hatched." Until the aparatus was simplified, however, 
it was deemed prudent not to place it in the hands of 



130 



burnham's new poultry book; 




halsted's incubator. 

those who had not made ai'tificial incubation a study. 
The inventor considers his machine so simple, that per- 
sons of ordinary intelligence can manage it, and the 
owner claims several points of superiority over' other 
incubators, for this invention. Experiments have 
proved in the hands of several poulterers who testify to 
its utility, tliat it promised to be one of the most 
reliable artificial egg-hatchers yet brought to the notice 
of the public. 

The Artificial Mother accompanying Mr. Halsted's 
Incubator is a very good one, and has been made, after 
many experiments, to answer its purposes admirably. 
John C. Welles, of Athens, Pa., H. B. Todd, Mott 
Haven, N. Y., J. H. Fry, of New Brighton, and others 
have tried, and very highly commend it. We insert 
cuts illustrating both these inventions, but the article 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 131 

explaining them did not reach us in time for insertion. 
We are indebted to this inventor for the most sensi- 
ble and lucid paper on this subject we have yet seen, 
and regret that our work was so far advanced, upon its 
receipt, that we cannot publish it, entire. 

Mr. Halsted has satisfied himself, however, from long 
and patient experience, it appears, that artificial hatch- 
ing cannot be rendered satisfactorily successful with any 
invention as yet matured, except the machine be in the 
hands of those who understands and are disposed to 
Btudy the process, faithfully. He adds — " I can, with 
care and attention, hatch 75 out of 100 eggs, in my 
Incubator. But I will not tvarrant that another person 
can hatch a single one, with mine or any other Incuba- 
tor ; since one day's mismanagement, while in process, 
proves fatal. The difficulty'is that " directions " cannot 
be followed by the inexperienced. It is like commenc- 
ing a new language ; and when the novice comes to ap- 
ply terms, the result proves unintelligible, and con- 
fusion follows. The absolute regulation of temperature 
is an exceedingly difficult matter to compass ; and long- 
tried experiments have proved, to my satisfaction, that 
we have not yet, in this country, reached even the rudi- 
ments of artificial incubation, with any show of cer- 
tainty. I know (because I have proved it individually) 
that artificial hatching can be accomplished. But that 
it ever will become a frequent or common method, I 
doubt. While therefore, I frankly state that — alone, 
and by itself — the incubator is a failure, compara- 
tively, still as an aid, I deem it invaluable, in finishing 



132 



BURNHAM S NEW POULTRY-BOOK ; 



what the hens begin, as thus : after allowing your hen 
to sit 10 days upon the eggs, remove them to the 
Incubator, and set 'another clutch under her. She will 
continue to cover three or four settings. You can 
complete lier work in the macliine ; and your chicks will 
come out strong, healthy, free from vermin, and none 
are trodden to death. Then comes in the usefulness of 
the " Artificial Mother," which requires little care, and 




halsted's •■aktificial mothek." 

no study to manage. After five years' trial, I repeat it, 
I would never be without this machine, if I could pro- 
cure or make one. My success has been constant and 
perfect, and I thus raise one-fourth more chicks. A 
mother such as I use costs but ^10. The size above 
represented is 20 inches wide, 42 inches long, and 15 
in greatest height. This will hover and raise 50 
chickens, and will last for years. Others liave tried it 
successfully, and 1 recommend it, from personal 
knowledge of its utility. But whoever attempts to use 
an Incubator^ to any extent, as a means of hatching 
chickens, from the outset^ must first inform himself, 
tlioroughly, by patient study and care, as to the details 
of its riglitful management — to make its use success- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 133 

ful." As Mr. Halsted is himself an inventor of one of 
these machines, this opinion is certainly a candid and 
valuable one. 

The '' hy dr o-iucuhvitor " of Mr. Cantello, of Chiswick, 
has attained to some degree of popularity in past years 
in England, but it has been found by experience in all 
countries, save Egypt, (where the warm climate aids 
them in their oven-hatching process) that it is the rais- 
ing of the chickens after hatching, that becomes trouble- 
some. They need the natural mother's care, and the 
'' artificial mothers " don't answer — thus far — though 
that of Mr. Halsted, and Mr. Graves, portrayed above, 
seems to our view to be the best we have ever seen. 

The inventors of Cantello's hatching machine claim 
that only twelve to thirty per centum of the chicks 
hatched by this invention, can be brought up. A one- 
tray Cantello's machine, they say, will produce on an 
average seventy-five birds to the hatch — eighteen times 
in a year — or 1,350 fowls, A two-tray incubator will 
give 2,700 a year, and sos on. But no provision is pro- 
posed except through the artificial mother, (which in 
their case is often a failure,) to bring up the chicks. 
And in this respect we incline to the opinion that arti- 
ficial hatching by any means in our cold uncertain 
climate, cannot be rendered successful to any extent. 

Mr. Graves and Mr. Halsted are very confident how- 
ever, with their inventions, and they have already raised 
and matured a good many chickens. If they can make 
their Incubators work, regularly, and if these " artificial 
mothers " prove reliable — they have accomplished an 



134 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

important thing indeed, for the poultry interest in 
America. 

How readily these machines, or any other for artifi- 
cial incubation, may be adopted by poultry-raisers in the 
United States, remains problematical ; but upon a mod- 
erate scale, as is indicated in the articles furnished us 
by the inventors, the contrivances both of Mr. Graves 
and Mr. Halsted certainly promise well, and are much 
the best of any " incubators " which have had their birth 
in " Yankee invention," and have died for lack of pa- 
tronage among us in the past twenty years. 

The Report of Mr. Geyelin, from which we have 
quoted the four modes of artificial hatching adopted in 
France, gives a furtlier account of tlie " live hatching 
machine " used in several places, there — which process 
has been also adopted with success by a few breeders in 
the West, and in Pennsylvania within the past five years. 
This is but the natural way of hatching — turkeys being 
used instead of hens. Mr. Geyelin says upon this point 
that this • 

" Natural hatching differs from what I ever saw be- 
fore, and in some parts of France forms a special trade 
carried on by persons called Couveurs, or Hatchers. 
They hatch for farmers at all times of the year at so 
mucli per egg, or purchase the eggs in the market and 
sell the chickens as soon as hatched, from threepence to 
sixpence each, according to the season of the year. 
This system may aptly be called a living hatching ma- 
chine ; and in my opinion it is the very best and cheap- 
est way of hatching, as will be seen by the following 
description : — 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 135 

The hatching room is kept dark, and at an even tem- 
perature in summer and winter. In this room a num- 
ber of boxes two feet long, a foot wide, and a foot six- 
inches deep, are ranged along the walls. These boxes 
are covered in with lattice or wire work, and serve for 
turkeys to hatch any kind of eggs. Similar boxes, but 
of smaller dimensions, are provided for broody fowls. 
The bed of the boxes is formed of heather, straw, hay, 
or cocoa-fibres, and the number of eggs given each tur- 
key to hatch is two dozen. 

At any time of the year, turkeys, whether broody or 
not, are taught to hatch, in the following manner : Some 
addled eggs are emptied, then filled with plaster of 
Paris, and placed in a nest; after which a turkey is 
fetched from the yard, placed on the eggs, and covered 
over with lattice. For the first forty-eight hours, she 
will endeavor to get out of her confinement ; but soon 
becomes reconciled to it, and then fresh eggs are sub- 
stituted for the plaster of Paris ones ; they will then 
continue to hatch without intermission, /rom th^ee to six 
months^ and even longer ; the chickens being withdrawn 
as soon as hatched, and fresh eggs substituted. After 
the third day the eggs are examined, and the clear ones 
are withdrawn, and sold in market. These turkeys are 
taken from the nests once a day and fed — the nests 
cleared of excrement, and thus they are kept busy for 
months. After a time they cease to feed of themselves, 
and are necessarily ' crammed ' with food and water." 

The writer visited several different places in France, 
where this turkey-sitting process was largely carried on 



136 burnham's new poultry-book. 

— in one place (that of Mr. Aiiclie, at Gambols,) noting 
sixty turkeys there thus occupied. Often a hundred are 
so employed on a single place. These birds seem to be 
so fond of this sitting process, that instances are re- 
ported where they sit constantly for five or six months, 
the chickens as they come being taken away, and raised 
under " artificial mothers," or glass, subsequently. The 
sitters are said to grow fat too, during this long period, 
and are very steady in their work, after commencing 

— appearing rather to like the ease of this monotonous 
occupation. 

The setting of turkeys upon hens' eggs, may undoubt- 
edly be rendered largely profitable, in producing chick- 
ens for early marketing, from the facts above quoted, 
since double the number of eggs can be placed under 
each bird, at a sitting. This is so much gained, in point 
of time ; and if the chicks thus hatched are looked after 
with care, from their birth, a majority of them can easi- 
ly be brought up to marketable size and condition — of 
the ordinary varieties of barn-yard fowls. For the mul- 
tiplying of fancy stock and good breeders, however, the 
hen-mother is the only sure thing to begin and end with, 
in our confirmed judgment. 





A MODEL (male) SHOW BlliD. 

CHAPTER XL 

POULTRY EXHIBITIONS AND SHOW-FOWLS. 

To the eye of the initiated, the above spirited en- 
graving will at once suggest the copy of a capital por- 
trait of a perfect Cochin or Shanghse cock, at from a 

137 



138 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

year and a half to two years old, in fine plumage and 
high condition. The general form is that of a fine 
Dark Brahma, but its color better represents the Buff or 
Partridge Cochin bird. We consider this a very faith- 
ful likeness, however, of a first-class male representa- 
tive of the Chinese race, and an admirable model of a 
Grower for the Show-pen ; executed for us by Bricher 
and Conant, in their best style. 

The original establishment of Poultry Societies, 
for the amusement of enthusiastic breeders, the im- 
provement of the domestic feathered race, and for the 
Exhibition of, and competition in, the various strains 
and varieties of Fowls bred by fanciers, amateurs, and 
dealers, dates back some years, in England — where 
premiums were first awarded to those who contributed 
what were deemed by the judges to be the best repre- 
sentatives of the different kinds of birds thus bred, from 
year to year. In this country, Fowl Shows are of a 
more recent date — the first one of any magnitude 
having occurred in Boston, Mass., about twenty-one 
years ago ; which was inaugurated at the Public Garden 
by the author of this Book, in conjunction with Dr. J. 
C. Bennett, Rev. Mr. Marsh, Col. Jaques, Dr. Eben 
Wight, Mr. Alden, H. L. Devereaux, Capt. H. H. Wil- 
liams — and a few other gentlemen, which proved a 
great success. The first Poultry Society in America 
was then formed, and other similar associations sprang 
up subsequently, in New York, Rhode Island, Connecti- 
cut, &c. Latterly, the New York State Society has 
taken the lead, in this direction, in this country. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 139 

In Massachusetts, the New England Poultry Club, 
centering at Worcester, has been in successful operation 
a few years, and in the spring of 1871 another new 
society was formed at Boston, by a number of eastern 
breeders and fanciers, who thought the ' hub ' the most 
appropriate place for their exhibitions ; from the fact 
that it is the Capitol of the State and is more conve- 
nient for the shows of the association — all the Massa- 
chusetts and New England railways entering and 
verging from that city. The gentlemen connected with 
this enterprise are well known among the lovers of 
good poultry, and several of them have not only bred 
fowls carefully, but for a good while ; and no doubt they 
will so conduct the affairs of the " Massachusetts Poul- 
try Association " as to cause it to aid in the furtherance 
of the important objects generally contemplated and 
proposed by these excellent societies. When properly 
and rightfully managed, these can be made the media 
of wide-spread good, and are conducive to real improve- 
ment in the character and production of poultry. The 
advantages of such associations are too often turned to 
the especial account of individuals, or cliques, however — 
it is to be regretted ; an error in management which 
we trust may not creep into the conduct of the newly 
organized ' Massachusetts Poultry Association ; ' and 
a reasonable guarantee against which mistake is af- 
forded at the outset in this Society, in the selection of 
its officers — Messrs. Philander Williams, W. J. Under- 
wood, E. C. Comey, Henry F. Felch, C. Carroll Loring, 
Geo. B. Durfee, John B. Moore, J. N. Cady, E. L. 



140 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

Rice, Nath'l. Foster, John P. Buzzell, Jacob Graves, 
Col. Geo. A. Meacliam, Mark Pitman, C. E. Tuttle, C. 
L. Copeland — and other enthusiastic breeders, gentle- 
men of integrity and good standing in the business 
community. This society was inaugurated under highly 
favorable auspices. 

The production of specimens of different kinds of 
Fowls merely to compete for prizes at our Poultry Ex- 
hibitions, now-a-days, will scarcely remunerate the fan- 
cier for the requisite outlay for stock, the subsequent 
necessary care that must be given such birds, and the 
attendant expense that inevitably occurs first and last, 
in bringing the birds to the Show-room in the best con- 
dition and most acceptable shape, to compete for offered 
premiums. The benefits derivable from these exhibi- 
tions, nevertheless, which are realized by such breeders, 
seem to be satisfactory, since through this means from 
time to time they may be successful in carrying away 
the prizes ; and the notoriety thus obtained, ensures the 
fortunate premium-takers abundance of orders for this 
same stock, subsequently. 

Now it is scarcely to be expected, (and every one, 
upon a moment's reflection, can see the force of this 
assertion,) that any breeder of poultry can deliver to 
order, at call, precisely such birds as are thus given the 
preference at these exhibitions, unless he disposes of 
the identical individual specimens to which are ac- 
corded these premiums. And this result is not attained, 
ordinarily, except at enormous figures ; since the suc- 
cessful competitor uniformly " puts his best foot fore- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 141 

most," in this sort of thing, and naturally, too ; and he 
must rob himself, to accommodate a patron, in comply- 
ing with the other's ambitious wishes. The same 
stock, of course, can be purchased, and occasionally, 
this turns out equal to the prize specimens. But, as a 
rule, amateurs can scarcely obtain in this " same stock," 
exactly such fowls as bear off the palm at the shows. 

The " Poultry Bulletin," a well conducted monthly 
publication, under the auspices of the N. Y. State 
Society, has spoken repeatedly and fairly upon this 
point, and in a late issue upon the subject of raisino; 
" fancy " Poultry, with a view to ii^ paying, merely, the 
editor says, aptly — "half our fanciers do not care 
whether it j!?«?/s or not, and the care, study and ex- 
penses of journeys undertaken for the sake of the 
birds, if added to their cost, would demonstrate that 
poultry keeping, to the real fancier, is anything but a 
paying business in nine cases out of ten." And he 
adds that " the raising of poultry, or any kind of fancy 
stock to he successful, must he conducted with a sensitive 
love for the kind of stock hred, and a fellowship with 
others of similar tastes. Breeding fancy poultry, etc., 
to sell, will not do. Money may be made by it, for a 
few years, but reputation, never. After a fancier once 
establishes the reputation of his strains of blood, from 
careful breeding and good success in winning prizes, he 
can get very remunerative prices, for all the good stock 
he has to spare." And this result is the leading object 
to be attained in owning or breeding specimens ' up 
to the standard ' for the prize-pens. Indirectly, this 



142 burnham's new poultry-book; 

specialty contributes largely to the general welfare and 
improvement of Poultry, of course ; but it is attended, 
as the Bulletin suggests, with heavy outlay, care, study 
and labor, to compete successfully, and is usually ac- 
complished by the few " fanciers who do not care 
whether it pays, or not." 

While, therefore, the good effected in its way by this 
means cannot be denied, it ought not be, nevertheless, 
either the province of the general breeder, or his pur- 
pose, to aim only at producing show-birds. Few of 
these premium fowls are duplicated, as we all know, by 
this time. And if a fortunate strain of blood be gained 
possession of, it should be bred clean and purely, and 
followed up — without admixture with other varieties — 
for results that will tell at large^ in the end. In sup- 
port of this theory, or principle, we have only to point 
to the unrivalled success of the well-bred Brahmas, the 
Shanghass, Games, Dorkings, or Black Spanish Fowls, 
for examples. These birds have always been in demand, 
from the outset, and they will continue to be sought 
after for general use, in our judgment, long after tlie 
present producers of these unexceptional true varieties 
pass beyond tlie pale of poultry-breeders ! 

The emulation incited through the establishment of 
these ])Oultry associations and their annual or semi-an- 
nual exhibitions, is altogether commendable, however, 
in the main. They bring together the best stock in the 
neighborhood for comparison side by side, and the soci- 
ety-principle keeps the breeders in friendly communica- 
tion witli each other (or ought to do so) whereby they 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 143 

may readily compare notes, and excel their neighbors, 
if possible, from year to year. The prices maintained 
at these shows for good fowls, are kept up to paying 
limits, and those who originally spend their money 
time arid brains upon this kind of undertaking, are thus 
enabled to obtain remunerative returns for their in- 
vestments and labors toward improving the general 
poultry stock of the country ; since successful contribu- 
tors are now required to bring the quality of their birds 
up to a high mark — to win. 

The breeding of good stock is in consequence reduced 
to a very fine point, with some fanciers among us. I 
have noticed the recent published accounts of one 
elaborate raiser of Brahmas, who has elevated it to the 
" pedigree " system — Mr. J. K. Felch, of Natick, Mass. 
His birds have been very successful in the show-room, 
and are noted for good size, color and truthfulness, gen- 
erally. This nicety in the genealogy of poultry may an- 
swer to amuse the enthusiastic fancier who indulges in 
its observance, and it may prove sufficiently interesting 
to him to pursue its ramifications, and attend to the 
records it involves. But its utility is, in our humble 
judgment altogether equivocal, in a general way. Still, 
for original breediug-stock, such birds as the Brothers 
Felch produce and offer " with a pedigree," may be 
most desirable to certain purchasers. For ourselves, 
however, we agree with the editor of the Bulletin, that 
'' the fowls must stand or fall upon their individual 
merits, when they come into the ring ;" and though tliis 
furnishing of a pedigree for poultry (which no one cares 



144 burnham's new poultry-book; 

to dispute or to inquire into,) may serve the purpose of 
such ticketed stock, it is of no mortal use, certainly, to 
the general purchaser. The fowl bought is either a good 
or an indifferent one ; and a paper record of his ances- 
try makes him no better, no worse, surely. Yet this 
hobby of Messrs. Felcli has proved no disadvantage to 
them — naturally ; and their laudable aim appears to be 
to breed steadily quite up to the required standard. In 
an earlier chapter on the subject of purely-bred stock, 
we refer to the manner of " Topknot," who permits " all 
varieties of fowls to run together in the fall and win- 
ter," promiscuously. Such bi-eeders as Messrs. Felch, 
for example, we opine, would hardly run this sort of 
risk, and then undertake from succeeding hatchings of 
eggs of their stock, to furnish pedigrees very confidently ! 
In reference to the " standard of excellence " estab- 
lished in England in late years, and followed generally 
in this country latterly, much discussion has eventuated ; 
and in the fall and winter of 1870-71, certain leading 
poulterers connected with the New York State Society 
conceived that a revision and refining of this scale of 
points in fowls was advisable, to be adopted as the fu- 
ture required American standard, exclusively. A con- 
vention was called, but it was subsequently announced 
authoritatively that parties had made so many protests 
against adopting the standard, as revised by the Poultry 
Convention, on the ground of incorrectness in descrip- 
tions, the committee appointed to revise the same have 
determined not to take the responsibility of putting it to 
press, and propose another convention in May, 1871. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 145 

It seems that the wide difference of opinion current 
as to the merits and demerits of certain nice points in 
color, conformation and other characteristics of the 
leading breeds of poultry is so apparent, and so much 
can be said on both sides, as to straight-combs, pea- 
combs, and straw-colored saddles in Brahmas, for in- 
stance, and fifth-toe or no fifth-toe in Houdans, muffs or 
no muffs on other pure varieties, etc., etc., that no defi- 
nite agreement can be arrived at, among the savans in 
the chicken trade, upon this interesting subject. For 
ourself, we think this matter of ' standard ' is brought 
down to a pretty fine point already, on this side of the 
Atlantic. And witliout designing hereby to criticise the 
ideas or opinions of any individual, anywhere — we can- 
not but respectfully suggest that the refining process, 
in this direction may be "run into the ground.*' easily, 
and would suggest that to our view it is very well, as 
it is. 

For the reasons given, however, we are of opinion 
that Poultry Societies and their public shows are bene- 
ficial ; albeit there has heretofore existed abuses in con- 
nection with both, that have not been creditable to those 
who have controlled these afikirs simply for their own 
aggrandizement, or for the benefit of the selected few 
who enjoy the privileges of certain rings. A sensible 
" old farmer" at Ambleside, N. Y.,in a late communi- 
cation, indicates that in the Empire State, an extraordin- 
ary degree of interest has latterly been evinced through 
the influence of the New York Poultry Society, upon the 
subject of improving the character of the common fowls 



146 burnham's new poultry-book; 

around him. He says : '' Through the efforts of the New 
York State Poultry Society, many farmers not only in 
this, but other States, have already been aroused to the 
importance of improving their poultry, and have sectired 
thorough bred males to cross with their own fowls, 
have also built houses and yards for their poultry and 
small coops for their hens and chickens, and have shut 
chicks up at night, and kept them from the rats and out 
of the wet grass. Those who have done this have been 
agreeably surprised at the result ; their fowls, (ever 
from the first cross) are increased in size at least one 
third. The pullets are better layers of larger eggs, and 
in place of raising thirty per cent, of their chicks, they 
now raise seventy per cent. I see there are many new 
Poultry Societies forming in different states, and that 
the people are awakening to the importance of the ben- 
efits that will arise from the improvement of poultry. 
At the third exhibition of your Society, held in Decem- 
ber last, I was much gratified to see the great improve- 
ment made by professional breeders of thorough-bred 
poultry. They there had turkeys weighing 37 lbs. 
eabh, geese 27 lbs., ducks 10 lbs., and fowls 10 to 12 
lbs. 

"It may be far in the future, but I believe the time 
is coming when every farmer will have his comfortable 
poultry house, and his choice poultry, and will look upon 
them as one of the blessings that God has given him to 
be taken care of and improved. When this time comes, 
tlie farmers' poultry and eggs will be of better quality, 
and will average more than twice their present weight, 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 147 

and be cheaper than any other food. The benefits of 
caponiziiig will then be better known and practiced by 
all, as there is as much difference between the flesh of a 
cj^pon and cock, as there is between steer beef and bull 
beef. If the merchants and gentlemen of wealth, who 
now think poultry of so little consequence as to be un- 
worthy of their notice (unless it is cooked) would look 
upon it in the light it deserves, and encourage and aid 
the Poultry Societies, then the good work would pro- 
gress, and the results would soon be manifest." 

We may all join in the expressed hope of this com- 
mon-sense " old farmer " that such results may soon be 
brought about, generally. It is the influence that these 
societies exert upon the mass of poultry-raisers, that is 
of vastly more importance to the universal good, rather 
than whatever benefit may accrue to the few individuals 
who go in for the ' highest premiums,' with one or two 
or half-a-dozen fancy specimens, which " can't be beat," 
nor duplicated either ! And so while we will do all 
that in us lies to promote the growth, advancement and 
success of the poultry Societies, and their shows, let us 
not forget that the true aim of such institutions should 
be not merely to improve fowl stock for the fancier and 
amateur, but to disseminate among the farmers of the 
land this improved stock — at reasonable rates ; and so 
contribute to the benefit of the community at large, as 
well as to the national wealth of our country. 





LIGHT BRAHMAS. 



CHAPTER XII. 



VARIETIES OF POPULAR FOWLS. 



Thus far we have endeavored to point out in concise 
and plain language, the better general course to be 
followed in the selection of eggs, hatching chickens, 
feeding and rearing the young birds, breeding older 
fowls, furnishing poultry houses, raising poultry and 
eggs for market, and briefly regarding the production 
of poultry through artificial incubation. We proceed 
to consider the qualities and merits of the different 
varieties of popular fowls at present souglit after, and 
now bred in the United States. 

As will be seen in the pages which follow, we arc 
148 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 149 

under obligations to American breeders, in different 
parts of the country, for many of the tasteful and re- 
liable illustrations which adorn our Poultry Book, with 
accompanyino; descriptions and valuable hints from 
these contributors, as to the character and qualities of 
the beautiful portraits furnished us. In one word — 
these gentlemen individually will please accept our ac- 
knowledgments, here, for their favors ; which are appre- 
ciated by the author, and we are confident will be 
quite as well valued by the readers of this volume. 

We commence our consideration of the merits and 
qualities of popular modern poultry, with what we con- 
sider the leading race, or variety, in this country — 
as it is, and has been for many years, also, in Eng- 
land — to wit, the Chinese^ or Asiatic Yo'wX \ and at the 
head of this list, we unhesitatingly place the justly 
famous " BRAHMAS," a variety that has enjoyed an un- 
exampled popularity, for twenty years. We call them 
by this name, now, because this has become established 
by universal consent and usage. Yet, as the fact is 
well known, my own fowls of this splendid variety, 
were the first ever brought to public notice, both in 
this country and in England. Originally, I called them 
" Gray Shanghaes," for the simple reason that they 
were gray in color, and most of my first pure stock 
came direct from Shanghce. Subsequently, other speci- 
mens turned up, and certain breeders then ambitious 
of notoriety, through mystification, trumped up the 
name of " Brahma Poutra " for this superb variety. 
This title was found difficult of pronunciation, however, 



150 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

and it came to be changed, in various ways, directly. 
Different poultry societies and different dealers spelled 
it Bramerpooter, Brahmapootra, Burrampouter, Buram- 
pootra, Bramapoota, Brahmapootra, Bramah, and in a 
dozen other ways — and finally we liave it conveniently 
reduced to " Brahma^ Let it stand ! It is a good 
fowl, and not a bad name. We are content. 

The true Brahma fowl is clearly of Chinese origin. 
The tasteful cut at the head of this chapter, represents 
a pair of E. C. Newton's stock. All the characteristics 
of this magnificent bird, like the " Buff," or " Par- 
tridge " or " White " Shanghaes which have readied us 
in the past twenty years, are identical, save in color 
alone. No specimen of either of these varieties (now 
called " Cochins ") has been shewn ever to have seen 
Cochin China, or '' the Brahma-putra, a River, that dis- 
charges its waters into the Bay of Bengal," as one late 
writer has stated it. 

This is entirely immaterial, however. They came 
from the East, " and were first seen in New York," 
says this same author, '' in 1850." Now the record 
shows that in 1849, '50, 1 purchased from ' Asa Rugg ' 
(Dr. Kerr) of Philadelphia, for twenty-five dollars — 
at that time deemed a very remarkable figure for 
two chickens — a pair of large gray fowls, which then 
were called " Chittagongs." They were feathered 
legged, plumage clear white and black, like the Brahmas, 
and were undoubtedly the same variety of Chinese 
birds we now have here. Shortly after this, I procured 
from on board a ship direct from Shanghae, half a dozen 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 151 

other gray fowls, which were enormous in size, but 
fanciers said " too white " at the time. I bred them all 
together a while, and then I sold the two original grays, 
and they were bred by Dr. Bennett, in Plymouth, Mass., 
with his huff Shanghses. The first progeny came white 
and black, and had a slight top-knot, some of them ; 
but were considered very handsome and uniform fowls. 
The owner placed them in the second Boston Fowl 
Show, then called them " Burampooters ;" they took a 
prize, while my gray fowls also took another, as '' Gray 
Shanghaes ; " and, from that beginning, sprung the 
stock that was for years afterwards known the world 
over as " Gray Shanghass," or " Brahmapootras." Mr. 
Cornish, or Mr. Hatch, had fowls of this stock (similar, 
in every particular) at this same sliow, I think. But 
all were fine, and we all succeeded subsequently, very 
satisfactorily with our fine ' Gray ' or ' Brahma ' fowls 
and their progeny. 

Cut No 3 is a good representation by H. Weir, of a 
cock and hens, of the light Brahma fowls I had the honor 
to send to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain ; of 
wdiich this stock are the exact counterparts, in great 
size, perfection of color, superior laying qualities, and 
all the desirable properties of good poultry. The London 
Illustrated News, in noticing the arrival of the Queen's 
poultry in England, said " they are a very choice 
consignment, and the largest domestic birds known, at 
the time of their shipment by Mr. Burnham from Amer- 
ica, these weighing over twenty-two pounds the pair !" 
The following acknowledgment of these Brahmas, is 



152 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

From Hon. Col. Phipps^ H. B. M. Secretary. 

Windsor Castle, Eng., 1853. 

Dear Sir : — 

Tho cage of gray Shanghse fowls intended as a 
present from you to her Majesty the Queen, has this 
day been received from Mr. Mitchell, of the Zoological 
gardens, and they have been highly admired by her 
Slajesty. I have received Her Majesty's commands to 
assure Mr. Burnham of her appreciation of his attention, 
and to add that it affords another addition to the many 
marks of good will from citizens of the United States, 
which the Queen has received, and to which Her Maj- 
esty attaches so high a value. 

I have the honor to be 

Your ob't and humble servant, 

C. B. Phipps. 

A few weeks afterwards, the author received another 
letter, accompanying a beautiful portrait of the Queen, 
and referring to this cage of Brahmas (through her 
Majesty' Secretary of the Privy Purse, Hon. Col. 
Phipps,) as follows : — 

Buckingham Palace, March 15, 1853. 
G-eo. P. Buryiham Psq. Melrose, U. S. A. 

Dear Sir : — I have received the commands of her 
Majesty the Queen to assure you of her Majesty's high 
appreciation of the kind motives which prompted you 
to forward for her acceptance the magnificent Chinese 
Fowls which have been so much admired at her Majes- 
ty's aviary at Windsor. Her Majesty accepts, with great 
pleasure, such a mark of respect and regard, from a cit- 
izen of the United Slates. 

I have, by her Majesty's command, shipped in the 
•" George Karl," to your address, a case containing a 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 153 

portrait of her Majesty ; of which the Queen has direct- 
ed me to request your acceptance. 
I have the honor to be, 

Sir, your ob't and humble servant, 

C. B. Phipps. 

This extraordinary stock has bred for years with 
marked fidelity — in color, size, form and other charac- 
teristics, and thousands of superb samples have been 
sent by me all over the United States, and to England, 
Canada, France, Bavaria, Lisbon, Cuba, <fec., where they 
have uniformly given the highest satisfaction. They are 
as fine this year and last, as ever — and will be found 
altogether unexceptionable. 

1 could add largely to these commendatory letters, by 
printing several received from those to whom this strain 
of fine poultry has been forwarded latterly from my 
yards ; but I will conclude the opinions on my Light 
Brahmas, with the following communication, acknowl- 
edging the receipt of three cages of this variety, which 
I shipped south in April, 1871. 

From Hon. It. B. Bullock^ Governor of Georgia. 

Atlanta, Ga., April 8, 1871. 
Dear Sir. — The three cages of Brahmas you sent 
me, arrived safely this day, in fine order. They appear 
in good condition, are very handsome birds, and 1 am 
highly pleased w^ith them. One coop I send to my plan- 
tation, one lot I retain in town, the third is for a neigh- 
bor. I shall most cheerfully recommend your fowls 
and establishment to my friends, and am 

Yours truly, 

RuFUS B. Bullock. 
G. P. BuRNHAM, Esq. 



154 burnham's new poultry-book; 

On pages 156 and 15T, I give admirably executed 
portraits of a cockerel and pullet, of well-bred Light 
Brahmas, about ten months old. The feathering of this 
pair of young fowls is very perfect, and those who ap- 
preciate this nicety of plumage, will find on examina- 
tion of these two pictures, that they represent the color 
and markings required by the " standard of excellence " 
established in this country and in England — quite ac- 
curately delineated, though the form of botli is not of 
course fully developed, at the age presented in these 
two cuts. The qualifications required by the ' standard ' 
referred to, are, for the Light Brahma Cock — head 
white ; neck white, with distinct black stripes down the 
centre of hackle feathers; breast, body and thighs, 
white ; back and shoulder-coverts, white ; primaries, 
black ; legs, bright yellow, fringed to the middle toe 
with white feathers, or slightly tinged with black. Een, 
white — similar in details ; neck to be distinctly striped 
on the hackle feathers with black ; breast and back, 
white ; thighs and fluff, clear white ; legs yellow, well 
feathered to toes — like the cock. 

The pair of fowls delineated on these two pages are 
very correctly drawn, and will serve the nice fancier for 
a good model to imitate — if he desires to breed up to 
the standard. 

On the history of the original Brahmas, Mr. W. B. 
Tegetmeier F. Z. S., in his London ^'Poultry Book," a 
magnificent and altogether reliable work, says " There 
is not a particle of evidence to show that they came 
from India. The banks of the Brahmapootra have 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 155 

long been in possession of the British, at least the 
lower part of the course of this River, and no such fowls 
were ever seen in that locality. In fact, the Brahnias 
originated not in India, but in America. The light 
Brahmas undoubtedly were identical with those Gray 
birds that in the first importation came from Shanghae, 
and public attention was first called to them in conse- 
quence of an acute American fancier, Mr. George P. 
Burnham, presenting a consignment to Her Majesty ; 
and these birds were subsequently exhibited by His 
Royal Highness, the late Prince Albert, at the London 
and other Shows, as " Brahmas." * * * These light 
Brahmas, with pure white or cream-colored bodies, and 
elegantly pencilled hackles, were in great favor ; they 
were universally admired for their beauty, and esteemed 
for their good qualities, when suddenly a new variety 
sprang upon the scene. A pair of birds were shown at 
Birmingham, which were sold for 100 guineas. These 
were dark in color, and different in general character ; 
they were the first Dark Brahmas seen in this country. 
These birds were subsequently figured in the " London 
Field," having been drawn by Mr. Harrison Weir."* 

On this subject of the Brahma fowl, Mr. Saunders, 
the author to whom I just now briefly referred, in his 
work on " Domestic Poultry," speaking of Mr. Baily 
of London, the eminent breeder, says that Mr. B. in- 
forms him that " he has imported and bred the Brahmas 



* Portraits of these original Dark Bi-ahmas, (which Mr. Burnham sent to 
Mr. Baily of London, ) thus accurately described by Mr. Tegetmeier, taken 
from Mr. Weir's picture, will be found among the tmted illustrations in our 
book. 




LIGHT miXUMX COCKKRK'., TEN MONTHS OLD. 




LIGHT BRAHMA PULLET, TEN MONTHS OLD. 



158 burnham's new poultry-book; 

for two years ; and that they differ in many points 
from the Cochins, with which they are sought to be 
identified." This information from Mr. Baily must cer- 
tainly have been given this author a long time ago, in- 
asmuch as / sent out to London a cage of Brahmas, 
which were exhibited at the Birmingham, Eng., Show, 
in 1853, " one pair of which, from Mr. Burnham of the 
United States, the property of Mr. Baily, of Mount 
street, shown among the extra stock, were purchased 
from him by Mr. Taylor, of Shepherd's Bush, at one 
hundred guineas — " says the record ; and in the month 
of September, 1870, (last year) I received a letter from 
Mr. Baily, in which he writes me, among other mat- 
ters, thus : " I continue to breed from the progeny, the 
old type of " Brahmas " you sent me, as you may have 
observed, from the fine birds I have sent to Mr. P. 
Williams, and others, in the United States." Now Mr. 
Baily has been breeding these fowls steadily for fifteen 
or sixteen years. And the fine Brahmas he has thus 
returned to the United States, (bred out of my stock, 
with others,) have taken first prizes, repeatedly^ as their 
parents did, before them, at the principal shows in 
America, in the last four years — Mr. P. Williams' 
splendid samples frequently bearing off the palm, lat- 
terly, as among the best. 

Mr. Mark Pitman, of Salem, who has enjoyed a large 
acquaintance with these fowls, and who with Mr. J. 
Graves of Reading, Mass., has a splendid stock, in a 
communication to the N. Y. Bulletin, thus states what 
he knows of the Brahma's origin ; which coincides, in 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 159 

the main, with the facts I have always claimed, from 
the beginning. Mr. Pitman says " the Dark and Light 
Brahmas as originally bred, have both nearly the same 
origin, and are the product of the union of the Buff 
Cochin hens with the Grrey Chittagong cock. They were 
not imported, but bred first in this country." And 
upon this point, I first stated years ago, (in another 
work of mine on Poultry) the following facts, which 
the editor of the Bulletin kindly quotes from that book, 
in a previous number of his paper. " The variety of 
fowl itself was the Grey Chittagong, the first samples 
of v/hich 1 obtained from ' Asa Rugg '(Dr. Kerr) of 
Philadelphia, in 1850. But my friend the Doctor (Ben- 
nett) wanted to put forth something that would take 
better than his '' Plymouth Rocks," and so he consulted 
me as to a name for a brace of grag fowls I saw in his 
yard. I always objected to the multiplying of titles ; 
but he insisted, and finally entered them at our Fitch- 
burg Depot show (in 1851) as " Burrampooters " all 
the way from India. 

" Those three fowls were bred from Asa Rugg's Gray 
Chittagong cock, with a yellow Shanghae hen in Ply- 
mouth, Mass. They were then " Burrampooters." Sub- 
sequently these fowls came to be called " Burampootras" 
" Burram Putras" " Brama-pooters," " Brahmas," etc." 

" An ambitious sea-captain arrived at New York 
from Shanghae, bringing with him about a hundred 
China fowls, of all colors, grades and proportions. Out 
of this lot I selected a few grag birds, that were very 
large, and (consequently) '' very fine," of course. I 



160 burnham's new poultry-book; 

bred tliese with other gray stock I had, at once, and 
soon had a fine lot of birds to dispose of, to which I 
gave what I have always deemed their only true and 
appropriate title (as they came from Shanghae,) to wit, 
Gray Shanghces,'^^ and to these corroborative facts I 
shall briefly refer again, in these pages. I never 
claimed aught but this: that my Gray Shanghaes, or 
Brahmas were the first bred in Massachusetts, and the 
first (of botli Light and Dark) that were sent to Eng- 
land, from America. As to where I procured my stock 
from time to time, subsequently, (and I bought a good 
many fowls, I remember, in those days!) it is surely 
not of the smallest consequence, now. Mr. Pitman 
continues, as follows : — " Mr. G. P. Burnham, who sur- 
prised not only the Royal family of Queen Victoria, but 
all the breeders of fowls in England, by his present of 
an elegant lot of Light Brahmas to her Majesty, saw in 
the Darks still greater remuneration, and eagerly pur- 
chased, disposing of them, at what might even now be 
termed fabulous prices. This variety at once took the 
lead of all others, even of the long esteemed Dorking. 
From this importation, many of the large breeders of 
England and Ireland were supplied ; but wishing to im- 
prove them if possible in size and color, those old 
sairacious breeders crossed the hens with the hlack-hreasted 
Dorking^ the only bird which would give the qualities 
desired ; and this progeny was bred back again with the 
Dark Brahma cocks sent from this country ; so that 
now we are receiving from Great Britain, not the original 
Darks, but the improved. A gentleman who visited 
those old establishments a few years after the first birds 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 161 

were sent from the United States,* was in time to de- 
tect this cross, which undoubtedly was intended to be 
kept secret ; and at once observed the change in size, 
the black breast, and actually saw the fifth toe." 




DARK UIIAII.-.IA IIEN. G. P. BURNHAM'S STOCK. 



*I presume that Mr. Pitman intends here to intimate by the words "first 
birds sent from the United States" of this variety, that they were mine : 
though the language is rather ambiguous. 



162 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

As to " purchasing " Grays, after a time, I did so very 
generously — from among the birds I had sold as 
chickens, or which were raised from eggs I supplied to 
scores of fanciers in this country, when the demand for 
the Brahmas was at its best. And I had to pay for 
these purchases, roundly, too ! 

On this subject of tlie Brahmas, Mr. Tegetmeier says 
that Mr. Burnham sent into England, the ^rs^ Brahmas 
ever seen there. And Dr. Wm. Custe Gwynne says, in 
this same work, page 177, " a circumstance which con- 
firms me in my view as to the identity of these birds 
(the Brahmas) with the Slianghce breed, is the fact that 
the fowls previously presented to Her Majesty, by Mr. 
Burnham under the name of ' Gray Shanghaes,' are ad- 
mitted hy Br. Bennett^ (the author of the name ' Brahma 
poutra,') to he precisely similar to his oivn.''^ 

This is true also. Dr. Bennett originated the name 
of " Brahma poutra ; " Ae bred my first pair of old gray 
fowls, when I got the second lot ; and he says that my 
Brahmas, (or Gray Shanghaes) and his Brahmas, " are 
precisely similar." . . . Thus much for this namQ, And 
in the other poultry work to which I have alluded (Mr. 
Saunders',) under the head of " Cochin-China Fowl," 
(which, by the way, is illustrated with a fine picture of 
heavily-feathered-legged Shanghais,) it is stated that 
" the Cochins were first possessed by Queen Victoria," 
<fec. So they were. But the "Cochin-China" fowls 
first possessed by her British Majesty, were no more like 
HhQ present birds called " Cochins," or like this illustra- 
tion in his work, than they were like the Malay, or 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 163 

Game fowl — nor half so much; for they were tall, 
gawky, smooth-legged birds, as every one knows, who 
ever saw the originals ; and the exact history of which 
we give in the next chapter. 

Referring to the remarkable hardiness and general 
useful qualities of th» Brahmas, the Editor of the Can- 
adian Poultry Chronicle strongly recommends this breed 
to farmers, for a stock fowl — since they have been tried 
in that cold country, thoroughly. The writer in the 
above named Canada paper says, '' much has been writ- 
ten about which breed is most profitable for the farmer 
to keep, and it will not be denied that there are some 
breeds possessed of such general cliaracteristics for use- 
fulness, as to render them more suitable and better adapt- 
ed to the farmer and general breeder than others. That 
which combines within itself large size, good laying and 
flesh-forming qualities, and hardihood, requiring the 
least amount of care and attention either in chickenhood 
or maturity, will at once be admitted to be the most suit- 
able fowl for the farmer. He wants not only a good 
supply of eggs during the year, but also meat for his ta- 
ble, or for the market. It is useful, not ornamental 
fowls he requires ; although if both are combined in the 
same breed, it becomes a still greater favorite. We 
have no hesitation, then, in saying that the Brahma fowl 
possesses all these qualities, and many others beside ; 
and that of all the recognized breeds of fowls, this is the 
best adapted and most suitable to the farmer. 

" It is not our intention to draw distinctions between 
the respective breeds of fowls, nor to seek to elevate the 



BURNHAM S NEW POULTRY-BOOK ; 




LIGHT BRAHMAS. BURKHAM'S IMPORTED STOCK. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 165 

one to the disadvantao'e of the other, but merely to show 
wherehi the Brahma is the most suitable fowl of all others 
for the farmer to keep. The great size of the Brahma, 
at once renders it an object of attention. In this respect 
it surpasses all other breeds. Hens in their second year 
with moderate care, will weigh from 8 lbs. to 10 lbs., 
and cockerels from 13 lbs. to 14 lbs. each. The quality 
of the meat is also good ; when tolerably fed it will be 
found almost, and very often quite equal to the Dork- 
ing. There is probably a little less meat on the breast ; 
but this is compensated by the extra quantity of that on 
the thighs ; indeed, many people think the leg of a 
Brahma cockerel one of the best parts of the bird. If 
the object of the farmer is simply to produce chickens 
for the table or market, then a cross between the Brah- 
ma and a Dorking cock will produce truly magnificent 
fowls ; the largest, perhaps, that have ever been reared. 
Cliickens thus bred, have at the age of six months, at- 
tained the weight of 18 lbs. the couple, and over — no 
mean matter for the farmer's consideration. 

" As a laying fowl, the Brahma is, in our opinion, 
equal to any other breed. There is no doubt that the 
propensity to sit interferes considerably with the pro- 
duction of eggs. Notwithstanding this, the fecundity of 
the hens and pullets is very great. Brahma pullets will 
lay with great regularity at six to seven months old, and 
usually sit within two months after. They may thus be 
made exceedingly useful, where a regular supply of early 
birds for the market is desired. Indeed, no breed so 
eminently possesses the regularity and certainty in the 



166 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

time of incubation, without carrying it to a troublesome 
excess. It is also remarked that the hen in her second 
year lays much longer than the pullets, and in this re- 
spect makes the fowl as a layer, far superior to nearly 
any other. 

" After the second year the tendency to incubate be- 
comes greater, and increases with age. We would, 
therefore, recommend that hens, after the third year 
should be got rid of; nor indeed is there any necessity 
to keep them any longer, as pullets can always be had 
to supply their places. In connection with the produc- 
tion of eggs, we may mention another cross with the 
Brahma well worthy the attention of the farmer, that is, 
between a Brahma hen and a Spanish cock. This cross 
produces a fowl which for average fecundity surpasses 
any and every fowl we know. 

*' Altogether, then, we consider that the Brahma pos- 
sesses a greater amount of usefulness and value than 
any other pure breed, and is also capable in an eminent 
degree, of communicating its good qualities to other 
fowls by crossing ; and for this reason we strongly 
recommend it to the farmer as a stock fowl." 

The Light Brahmas are so widely known, at this 
time, and good stock has become so generally distribu- 
ted over this country, that we need only refer those who 
desire to purchase, to almost any dealer, for these 
fowls. But, in the west, Mr. E. C. Newton breeds them 
finely, and G. W. Felter, in Ohio. Wade and Henry, 
Phil'a., and I. M. Harvey, Chicago, 111., C. N. Palmer, 
Gallipolis, Ohio. In New York State, J. T. Bickncll, 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 167 

& Co., E. J. Taylor, Waterloo, D. L. Stage & Co., 
Schenectady, C. A. Mayers, Auburn, D. C. Noxon, 
Beekman, A. Nelson and others at Buffalo, Isaac Van 
Winkle, Greenville, N. J. In Connecticut, all the 
breeders have choice light Brahmas, as well as in Massa- 
chusetts and Rhode Island. I. K. Felch, Natick, E. C. 
Comey, Quincy, Philander Williams of Taunton have 




LIGHT BRAHMA HEN. WADE AND HENRY' S STOCK. 



very choice stock of this breed. Mr. Saunders, on 
Staten Island has a superior strain, also. Ezra B. 
Dibble, of New Haven, is among the foremost Connecti- 
cut breeders of light Brahmas, and his prize stock, 
with which he took first premium at the last State 
Show, there, were pronounced as fine samples of this 



168 burnham's new poultry-book. 

favorite race as ever were seen in that region ; where 
this fowl is bred — as a rule — to great perfection. Mr. 
D. is a very careful breeder, and is satisfied only with 
being at tlie head of the list, in the line of specialties 
to which he now devotes himself — the finest Chinese 
varieties, principally. 

G. P. Burnham of Melrose, and C. H. Edmonds of 
same place, think they have as good samples of this 
breed as can be found. Also, G. H. Champney, Taunton, 
C. Carroll Loring, Boston, and J. C. Ives, Salem. They 
keep and breed only from the best samples — uniformly. 
Portraits of this strain — of the same blood as that 
sent by Mr. Burnham to her Majesty Queen Victoria, 
may be found in this volume, see illustrations. 





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MODERN "COCHIN." QUEEN'S "COCHIN." 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE ORIGINAL "COCHIN CHINA." 

We place the above two drawings in juxtaposition, 
for convenient comparison by our readers, and we pre- 
sent a description of this much talked-of variety with 
pleasant recollections, since it fell to our lot to intro- 
duce the famous Queen's Stock of ' Cochin Chinas ' into 
the United States, as is very well known. In view of 
the fact that the name of the author of this " New 
Poultry Book " is inseparably connected with the 
original of this variety also, which came through his 
importation into America, we feel competent to describe 
them, accurately. This name has been variously used 
among us, for twenty-two years past, but within a few 

169 



170 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

years it has come to be generally accepted simply as 
" Cochin." 

In Tegetmeier's celebrated modern "Poultry Book," 
in reply to the oft-repeated query " Are Cochin China 
and Shanghae Fowls the same ? " he answers " we have 
always entertained the opinion that they are; as we 
have invariably found that fowls imported from China," 
(of any colored plumage, dark or light,) " came from 
Shanghae, or its vicinity." And thus this able authority 
upon the subject of poultry concludes that " Cochin 
China is a name altogether misapplied " to the Shanghae 
fowl. 

This accomplished author is unquestionably reason- 
able in his opinion, and he adds, forcibly, that " this 
conclusion amounts to conviction ; since Mr. Robert 
Fortune, who has passed so many years in various parts 
of China, says " the man who first gave these fowls" 
(the Shanghaes) " the name of Cochin China, has much 
to answer for ! I firmly believe that these two are one 
and the same. What grounds," asks Mr. Fortune, 
pertinently, " has any one for supposing these fowl 
ever saw Cochin China ? It is a breed very little known 
in the southerly parts of China, and the Southern 
Chinese were as much struck with the size of this 
breed, as we were." Mr. Fortune adds that the Shanghce 
breed are more common around that port and vicinity 
than elsewhere, though he has seen them all over that 
part of the country ; " while the Southern breeds have 
long been known, but there is nothing marked in their 
character." And we may here appropriately add to 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 171 

this, briefly, our own experience with the Simon-pure, 
renowned, much lauded, original Queen Victoria Cochin 
Chinas, which as everybody knows we first imported 
into the United States. 

In the previous chapter, appears the Queen's letter in 
reference to my Brahma fowls. In addition to this flat- 
tering compliment from Royalty, I give place to the fol- 
lowing pleasant communications I received previously, 
from distinguished' Americans to whom I forwarded 
samples of my early " Cochin " China fowls. These 
gentlemen were supposed to be good judges of live stock, 
and the author deems their opinions sufficiently disin- 
terested as well as valuable, to reproduce them in this 
volume — even at this late day. And I publish the let- 
ters which follow, simply because I desire to show that 
twenty years ago samples of my original imported 
Cochins went into the hands of such well known gentle- 
men ; who, in addition to their other vast store of knowl- 
edge, knew what good poultry was, and who appreciated 
these fine birds, which were bred from the Queen's stock. 

From Gov. George N. Brig^gs. 
My deab Sir: — The cage of Cochin-China chickens you were 
kind enough to send, reached me in safety ; and I am much obliged 
to you for this favor. 

They are, beyond comparison, the finest domestic fowls I have 
seen, and I shall breed them with such care that I hope to be able to 
give you a good account of them in the future. 

They are very much liked by all who have seen them, and you will 
please accept my thanks for your attention. 

I am, respectfully, yours, 

Geo. N. Briggs. 
PiTTSFiELD, Mass., 1851. 



172 burnham's new poultry-book; 

From Hon. Henry Clay. 

Geo. p. Burnham. Esq. 

My dear Sib. — I duly received your obliging letter, informing me 
that you had sent by the Express of Messrs. Adams & Co., a cage 
containing four fowls for me, and I postponed acknowledging it until 
the fate of the fowls should be ascertained. I have now the satisfac- 
tion to advise you that they all reached here safely. 

They have been greatly admired, not only for their enormous size, 
but for their fine proportions and beautiful plumage. I thank you, 
my dear sir, most cordially, for this very acceptable present. It has 
been my aim for many years, to collect at this place the best improv- 
ed breeds of the horse, the cow, the sheep, swine and the ass — 
though the last, not the least valuable, in this mule raising State. 

To my stock on hand your splendid Cochin-China fowls will be a 
congenial and valuable addition; and, if we succeed with them, I 
will take care not to monopolize the benefit of them. I am greatly 
obliged to you, and, 

With high respect, I am 

Your ob't servant, 

Ashland, 1851. H. Clay. 

From Hon. Daniel Webster. 

Geo. p. Burnham, Esq. 

Dear Sir. — The coop of chickens arrived safely, and are noble 

specimens of the Chinese fowl. You will rarely meet with samples 

apparently so well bred, and they will do any one credit. I thank 

you for the consignment, and consider them a most valuable addition 

to my stock of poultry. Accept my best wishes, and beheve me, dear 

sir, Yours, very truly, 

Daniel Webster. 
Marshfield, 1851. 

Late in 1848, 1 sent out an order to England for half 
a dozen of these fowls ; for 1 was unfortunately then one 
of " the men frantic after Cochin Chinas," and was the 
first American who imported any of the Queen's noted 
Cocliins into this country, by a year or two, at the least. 
In 1849, 1 learned the following facts, namely : 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 173 

Three of the Queen's famous Cochin China stock, 
which had so stirred up the people in England, had been 
exhibited, and had taken the gold medal prize at the 
Royal Dublin Show, and were then presented by Her 
Majesty to Lord Heytesbury, the Lord Lieutenant of Ire- 
land. His Lordship had placed these fine birds in the 
hands of J. Joseph Nolan, Esq., of Bachelor's Walk, 
Dublin, to breed. I sent to Mr. Nolan, who exhibited 
the first pure bred Cochins in England, and from him 
direct 1 obtained two cocks and four pullets. One cock 
and two pullets were very good birds, the other three 
were indifferent. They were dark partridge-colored fe- 
males, and red and brown males. I bred these first 
(and a second lot, which I procured some time after- 
wards, direct from Canton) and their progeny, for years 
subsequently, adopted the name of " Royal Cochins" 
for them, and realized very handsomely upon them. 
They turned out finely (the progeny, I mean,) they were 
extraordinary layers, quite uniform in dark partridge- 
colored plumage, and took prizes again and again at the 
fairs, both of my own raising, and those raised from 
my stock by others ; but they always came full black- 
eyed, always showed the darkish colored limb, and al- 
ways (never failing !) came with entirely smooth legs ! 
This was the " Queen's Cochin China," which I procured 
direct from Mr. Nolan, who bred her Majesty's stock, 
which I subsequently bred in Roxbury and Melrose for 
years and years ; and which is illustrated in this late 
" Domestic Poultry Book," with a pair of short, hand- 
some, lieavily feathered-legged Shanghae birds, and de- 
nominated " Cochin-China." 



174 burnham's new poultry-book; 



Noiv we hear of the " Buff" Cochins, the " Partridge" 
Cochins, the -'White" Cochins, etc., and the poultry- 
show Committees award premiums for birds thus named. 
This is all right enough, since everybody agrees to it. 
This Cochin is a good name, too. Let it pass. I do 
not object to this change, or the improvement. But I 
state facts. 1 have imported and bred these Chinese- 
Shanghae-Brahma-Cochins for over a score of years ; 
and 1 may be permitted to claim that I know something 
about " originals," I think. 

Having stated thus much in a general though some- 
what personal way, we will now take up the character 
of this extraordinary race of Chinese fowls as we find 
them to-day ; and, adopting the name given one strain 
by Dr. Bennett, snd the other as improved by the fiat 
of the Poultry Societies in England and America, point 
out their many excellences and intrinsic merits — con- 
tent with the fact that the Eastern fowl is the best in 
the world, all things considered, and that 

"The ROSE by any other name^ will smell as sweet." 

In order, however, that the readers of my " New 
Poultry Book " may judge for themselves how nearly 
like to either the " Brabmas," or i\\Q present so-called 
" Cocliins," were the original Cochins, of Queen 
Victoria's famous stock, I have caused to be taken 
from a copy of the London Illustrated News, the picture 
of those fowls, drawn from life by the celebrated Harri- 
son Weir, in 1844, when Her Majesty's Cocliin fowls 
were first presented to admiring poultry fanciers. By 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 175 

reference to the illustration of the Queen's Fowls, (see 
cut No. 2,) and a comparison of this altogether 
reliable engraving with any other illustrations in this 
work, or any late authority upon this subject, it will at 
once be seen that there is no similarity whatever be- 
tween these two plainly distinct varieties — to wit, 
the original " Cochins," and the present so named 
'• Cochins." 

Yet our picture No. 2, is a good and veritable like- 
ness of the Queen's Cochin stock, and is a faithful 
representation of my Cochins, already described in this 
chapter, whicli came from Her Majesty's fowls through 
Mr. J. J. Nolan, to me, in 1849. Let the reader com- 
pare the two ; and then say for himself if the Queen's 
tall, long-bodied, smooth-legged, large-tailed China 
fowls of 1844 luere Cochins, how appropriately the fowls 
of 1860 and 1870 are named " Cochins ! " So much for 
this misnomer. 

Of this much lauded fowl Mr. Dixon, says : " Whether 
the breed now under consideration did really come from 
Cochin China or not, is probably known only to the 
party who imported them, if to liim. But they have 
been cultivated in this country previously to their intro- 
duction to general notice as the most conspicuous orna- 
ments of the Royal poultry-yard. A gentleman living 
in Monmouthshire, informs me that, nearly thirty years 
ago, a friend sent him a cock and hen of the true ' Java 
breed.' The cock was so fine, large and handsome, 
that he was immediately made ' Cock of the walk.' 
The present stock on the farm, which I have seen, are 



176 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

entirely descendants, and are true Cochin fowl ; so that 
in this case, Java and Cochin, are synonymous. The 
first parents of this lot came direct from India. The 
legs vary from a flesh-color to an orange-color, and are 
not so long as in the Malay ; the eggs are buff-colored, 
of large size, and blunt at both ends; the chickens 
progress rapidly in size, but feather slowly." 

Another writer describes the Cochin cock as having 
a large, upright, single, deeply indented comb, very much 
resembling that of the black Spanish, and when in high 
condition, of quite as brilliant a scarlet ; like him also, 
he has a very large ear-lobe or ear-cheek. This is not 
an indispensable, if even a required qualification ; it is, 
however, to be preferred, for beauty at least, if not as a 
mark of pure breed. The wattles are large, wide, and 
pendant. The legs are of a flesh-color; some speci- 
mens have them yellow, ivJiich is objectionable. The 
feathers on the breast and sides are of a light chestnut- 
brown, large and well defined, giving a scaly or im- 
bricated appearance to those parts. The hackle of the 
neck is of a bright yellowish-brown ; the lower feathers 
being tipped with dark brown, so as to give a spotted 
appearance to the neck. The tail feathers are black, 
and darkly iridescent ; back, scarlet orange ; back 
hackle, yellow orange. It is, in short, altogether a 
flame-colored bird." 

C. N. Bement, in his " American Poulterers' Com- 
panion," published by Messrs. Harper, states that Mr. 
G. P. Burnham, of Boston, communicates the following 
in reference to two importations of Cochin fowl by him. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 177 

He says, '' I obtained two lots of these fowls — one 
batch of six, from J. J. Nolan, of Dublin, and the other 
direct from Canton. The prevailing color of my birds 
is yellow, or yellowish-brown pullets, and yellow and 
red, or yellow, red and brown cocks. They have not 
deviated from this range of color except in two or three 
broods out of the dark Canton cock. The chicks come 
even in size and plumage ; and down to the third gen- 
eration they have bred exactly the same ; this is a very 
satisfactory result, in my estimation. I have never yet 
seen a black, a gray, a white, or a speckled chick from 
this stock. 

"For all purposes of a really good domestic fowl, 
whether I speak of productiveness, easy keeping, laying 
qualities, size, disposition, beauty of form and plumage, 
or hardiness (in this climate), after a careful compara- 
tive trial, I deem the Cochin the best. And to my fancy 
they have no equals among the varieties now known in 
America."* 

There is not the slightest objection, at this time, to 
the acceptance of the title accorded to these fowls we 
are now receiving from England and Ireland, and 
which are being so splendidly bred by Messrs. Hicks, 
of Roslyn, L. I. Mr. VanWinkle of Greenville, N. J., D. 
L. Stage, Schenectady, N. Y., E. J. Taylor, Waterloo, 
Philander Williams of Taunton, Col. Meachem, of 
Somerville, J. Graves of Reading, Mass., Mr. Herstine 
of Philadelphia, E. C. Morton of Batavia, 111., J. M. 
Wade of Philadelphia, G. W. Felter, Batavia, Ohio, and 

*This quoted opinion of mine was given before I had so thoroughly tested 
the Bnu'imas, as I subsequently had the opportunity to do. — g. p. b. 



178 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

scores of other importers and breeders — and now 
called ' Cochin,' under the sanction of the poultry 
societies. 

But we have j>;iven an exact history of the original 
Queen's Cochins, in this chapter, (so far as it is known) 
and we also give an illustration of those birds, drawn 
from life by the best fowl-artist in Europe, Harrison 
Wier. These were smooth-legged birds, and bore no 
more similitude to those that are called Cochins, to-day, 
than they did to any other large fowl that can be named. 
Still, they came from the East, and were undoubtedly 
really Oriental birds. Possibly they ?iv&i started '' from 
Luckipoor, up the Brama-pootra ; a river that dis- 
charges its waters into the Bay of Bengal ; " for their 
origin is certainly very obscure, yet. Of two things, 
however, we feel well assured : first, that they are mag- 
nificent birds — and secondly, that the Cochin came 
originally from " up the Brama-pootra river," as cer- 
tainly as ever the Brahma fowl did ! 




CHAPTER XIV. 

OLD AND NEW PARTRIDGE COCHINS. 

The first strictly Partridge-colored Chinese fowls I 
ever saw, to wit, in the year 1849, were in the pos- 
session of the Rev. Mr. Marsh, of West Roxbury, Mass. 
This gentleman was a retired clergyman, and had 
passed the best part of his middle age, I think, as a 
Missionary, in China, and returned home well worn in 
the service. He cither brought this superb clutch of 
Oriental birds with him, or they were sent to him b}^ a 
brother Missionary, direct from Shanghae. And they 
were really unexceptionable in beauty, great size, 
uniformity of plumage, and all the characteristics of a 
good^ and at that period, very desirable fowl. 

179 



180 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

The descendants of this clutch of genuine " Shang- 
hass," imported direct from one of the celestial ports, 
and known to be pure^ (if such a thing existed,) from 
Mr. Marsh's breeding in 1850, down to a brood of this 
stock which 1 met with in Norfolk County last season, 
(1870) were strikingly uniform, throughout ; and the 
hundreds of fanciers who have in the past two decades 
had and bred this noble strain of blood, would readily 
recognize these birds, wherever they should see them. 

I bred hundreds upon hundreds of this particular 
strain of stock, and I sent out to England in 1852, '3, 
and '4, a great number of what was then known specifi- 
cally as the '' Marsh Shanghaes," as did other gentle- 
men here, who then bred both the Brahmas and the 
Shanghaes, largely. 

Within the last two or three years, this old Marsh 
stock — in no wise changed, in no wise improved, in no 
wise different in any one particular of form, size, color, 
or characteristics, is coming back to us ! The beautiful 
" Partridge Cochins," as they are now called, which 
have been imported from England into the United 
States, are identical with the Marsh stock. But they 
are a noble fowl. There are none better, standing 
above ground to-day, as representatives of this favorite 
race. 

It may be that English breeders have, in the past ten 
years, got out from China, direct, fresh blood of this 
variety, to intermix with those sent them so generously 
from America, more than a dozen years ago. But 
these we get here now are so strikingly similar, in 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 181 

every point of excellence, that those who have made 
themselves acquainted with the Marsh stock of 
Shanghses, at once recognize these birds as akin to that 
long-time noted strain of real Chinese poultry. 

The Pai'tridge Cochins, owned and bred by E. C. 
Newton, of Batavia, 111., portraits of a pair of which,' 
appear at the head of this chapter, are very superior 
specimens (^though the cut is not so large as some 
others sent us) and there are perhaps few that equal 
these birds, (none excel them) for size, accuracy in 
points, and perfection in plumage, on this side the At- 
lantic. 

Cut No. 1, frontispiece, represents one of tlie splendid 
Partridge Cochins which have carried away first prizes 
at our late Poultry shows, deservedly. They are bred 
fully up to the mark, and these samples, of which the 
likeness furnished is very perfect, certainly are not only 
elegant birds, but are at once recognizable by breeders 
in New England especially. 

This variety of the now Cochin race will average, in 
weight, as heavy as the best ; and if cleanly bred, will 
exhibit the partridge feathering as uniformly in a 
hundred chickens, as will the Light Brahmas show 
their peculiar caste of [)lumage. And very beautiful 
feathering it is, too — clear-cut red, black and gold. 
Their form is all that can be desired, in this class of 
fowl — compact, well-rounded, full-breasted, short-leg- 
ged and not over heavily-limbed, well-feathered to the 
toes, small gamey head, upright single comb, medium 
sized wattles, short tails and fluffy flanks and sterns — 



182 burnham's new poultry-book 



on the pullets — altogether as handsome a Chinese fowl 
as is bred in the world. 

They are good layers, the chickens are hardy, and 
easily reared, they come to maturity early, and are de- 
scribed by Mr. Newton, as being in habit and size very 
much like the Buff Cochins, except being more compact. 
The color of the cock is as follows : neck hackle, and 
saddle feathers are of a rich bright red, with a black 
stripe down the centre of each feather ; back and wing- 
bow dark rich red, with a greenish black bar across the 
wing ; the breast, under part of body and thighs, black ; 
tail glossy black. Color of hen is light brown, with 
each feather penciled with dark brown ; neck same as 
in cock ; legs of both — dusky yellow. The Partridge 
Cochin will ever be one of the most popular breeds of 
fowls we have, or can have, if taken all in all upon their 
genuine merits, alone, and we speak of this fowl thus at 
length because we know it well, and have always deem- 
ed it one of the choicest breeds of China blood that ever 
came into America. Messrs. Van Winkle and E. J. Tay- 
lor, Waterloo, N. Y., Wm. Shupson, Jr., West Farms, 
N. Y., C. Brinton, Jr., Chadsford, Pa., and others, 
have had a constant demand for chickens and eggs, from 
the imported stock of this variety, which at present com- 
mand the highest prices generally of any of the fancy 
breeds of Chinese fowls in this country. The reader is 
referred to the fine portraits given of these Partridge 
Cochins, see our frontispiece, and page 184. 

I have casually alluded to this variety as one of the 
" fancy " breeds. But I fully agree witli Mr. Anster 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 183 

Bonn, a name well known in poultry annals, that " in 
spite of their high price, etc., I do believe these Cochins 
to be the best fowls for the poor man, or the farmer, 
considering them not as fancy, but as productive stock. 
I have eaten a great number of Cochins, and find them 
without exception, by far the finest-flavored, best birds 
for the table, which we have ever bought, bred, or eaten.'' 
As this authoritative opinion coincides so accurately 
with my own experience, I cheerfully add that Mr. Bonn 
does not thus overstate the real value of the Cochins, 
for general utility. 

Mr. Van Winkle, of Greenville, N. J., whose Part- 
ridge Cochins are noted, and whose beautiful illustra- 
tions published in the '' Hearth and Home " last season 
faithfully depict to the life his specimens of this choice 
bird, has perhaps expended more money for selected 
fowl, (which he has imported from England in late 
years) than any fancier in America ; and he has been 
ambitious to obtain prize birds for breeding from abroad 
— without regard to their cost — that should be the 
very choicest in the world. And in reproducing this 
stock here, he has evinced the highly commendable and 
persistent aim to breed only the best of its kind for dis- 
semination over the United States ; " hoping," as he 
expresses himself, " to see as much interest taken in 
this country in the breeding of fine fowls as in England, 
and a better class of table fowls sold in our markets. 
It can be done. The demand for first-class fowls in- 
creases every year. It costs no more to keep good than 
it does to keep poor fowls." 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 185 

And Mr. Yan Winkle is right in this. " It can be 
done." It is now being done. In this blessed year of 
our Lord 1871, the demand for good poultry, in every 
direction, was never so great in the United States ; and 
American breeders have never before shown, either in 
their yards or at the State Exhibitions of New York, 
Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts and else- 
where, so fine a display, in enormous numbers, of 
magnificently bred poultry, as has been raised in the 
twelvemonth preceding this year of grace. 

It is noticeable that the Partridge Cochins imported 
by Mr. Yan Winkle, and some other gentlemen, from 
England and Ireland — of late years — are bred "to 
the feather " more accurately than those of any parti- 
colored bird we have ever had in this country, except 
the light Brahmas. The pencilling upon the body- 
plumage of the hens, particularly, is exquisitely perfect 
and precise in the best samples, when sent even from 
different yards in England. This shows how skillfully 
the thing is managed abroad. The requirements of the 
standard of the Societies there are such that, to com- 
pete successfully, these strains must be brought to the 
show-rooms bred to a very nice point. 

But, as we have said, the blood of this variety is very 
strong, and we have seen so many hundreds of the old 
Marsh stock that have been bred from the original, 
purely, down to the tenth generation, all of which come 
so tru^ to their illustrious parentage, in form, color, 
markings, size, and characteristics, that we have no 
doubt these we are now getting, in America, similarly 



186 burnham's new poultry-book; 

bred, in the hands of the experienced parties who have 
secured this favorite stock, will conthiue to produce 
their like, continually. And none of the large Chinese 
fowls can be found to excel them. 

D. L. Stage & Co. of Schenectady, N. Y. have not 
created so much stir in the chicken-breeding world as 
some of their competitors, but they breed good fowls, 
and sell a great many of them. The Dark Brahmas 
bred by this firm are from Boyle's Irish stock, 
the Cameron, and the Fry importations. (See cut 
page 215.) Their Partridge Cochins are magnificent 
birds from C. 0. Pool's importation — well marked, and 
of mammoth proportions. Their Buff Cochins are of the 
celebrated Cooper strain, a trio of the original of which 
sold in N. Y. in 1870, at the round figure of $315. 
They have also the Leavitt Stock, very fine. Their 
Dominique are superior, from the establishment of 
Hon. John Wentworth, of Chicago. And their other 
varieties are of the first class. We do not hesitate to 
commend this unostentatious concern to the attention 
of those who want good poultry, as we believe them 
both competent breeders, and reliable in answering 
orders — uniformly. Messrs. Stage & Co. inform us 
that their orders this season are largely in excess of 
those of previous years, and they are breeding very 
extensively this year, to supply this increasing demand 
for their excellent stock. 

Messrs. Wade & Henry, of Philadelphia, contribute 
a few illustrations to our present volume, which depict 
their fowls — of which they have an extensive and fine 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 187 

collection. They inform us that their Dark Brahmas 
are from imported and prize stock, and we have seen a 
few samples from their establishment, that are very 
large and well plumed. Their Light Brahmas are out 
of the best to be had in America, and are equal to the 
average of this well known breed. They keep for sale, 
and feed it to great advantage (they assure us) to their 
own poultry, " broken fresh bone," crushed into the 
size of whole wheat, of which fowls are very fond ; and 
of the beneficial results of wliich, in the feeding of 
domestic birds, there can be no question. They have 
a fine strain of the Hamburg Fowls, both Gold and 
Silver Spangled, which are highly prized for their 
beauty of form and plumage. They furnish both fowls 
and eggs of all the popular varieties, and do a very 
large business, in this line. Their admirable " stone 
drinking fountain " for the hen-house, is illustrated 
and referred to in another place. They deal in all the 
ordinary requirements and fixtures for the fowl-house 
and poultry-yard, and among their stock it is said they 
possess the largest and finest variety of pigeons in 
Pennsylvania. Of the Partridge Cochins, Messrs. Wade 
and Henry have secured some fine specimens of prize 
stock, and of them and the Buff, they make a specialty, 
the present season, they inform us. 




CHAPTER XV. 



MODERN BUFF COCHINS. 



I have placed at the head of the list of China Fowls, 
the ever beautiful Light Brahmas, because after a lonj? 
trial with them, under all kinds of treatment — good 
and indifferent — this right royal variety of Shangh^s 
have proved thoroughly unexceptionable ; and for 
size, weight, comeliness, plumage, and truthfulness 
to their originals — they cannot be rivalled, in my judg- 
ment. 

But the Buff Cochin of the present day, as it is pro- 

188 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 189 

duced by Isaac Van Winkle, S. A. Bassett, Thos. Gould, 
Jacob Graves, M. Pitman, J. Y. Bicknell & Co., Wm. 
Simpson, Jr., E. C. Newton, Benj. Hicks, D. W. Hers- 
tine, G. W. Felter, D. L. Stage, E. M. Wade, and others 
in this country — and Messrs. Sturgeon, Potts, Cooper, 
Baily, Punchard, Belden and others in England — 
ranks among the very highest in estimation, with many 
breeders, and perhaps most deservedly, for its peculiarly 
rich beauty of plume ; while it possesses all the other 
desirable qualities of size, form, etc., in an eminent de- 
gree, as a chief and noble representative of the much 
lauded and often greatly abused Shanghas, or China fowl. 
Tlie superb specimens seen among us of late years, are 
certainly very attractive birds. And the portraits given 
of these fowls in this work are very fine. 

The two next illustrations in our book, are portraits 
of a pair of the superb trio of Buffs which took premium 
at the late New York Society's show, and are the prop- 
erty of Mr. D. W. Herstino, of Philadelphia. These 
fowls are very large and are superior specimens of im- 
ported stock. We are informed by Mr. H. that they 
have also taken first prizes at several other exhibitions 
in Pennsylvania. The proportions of this pair are col- 
ossal. 

One of the most remarkable single specimens of the 
Buff Cochin ever produced, probably, was that of Mr. 
Sturgeon, in England — as portrayed in Tegetmeier's 
work. The owner called this splendid fowl " the 
Queen ;" and she was quite up to the highest standard 
of excellence, in every desirable point. From her and 



190 burnham's new poultry-book; 

others of a similarly first-class character, great numbers 
have descended since her time, and the first premium 
birds of this variety at the N. Y. State Society's Show, in 
1870, were well up to the mark, in comparison ; as all 
who saw those extraordinary samples will at once 
admit. 

The American Agriculturist, whose proprietors of- 
fered an extra premium for this variety also at that ex- 
hibition, says, " the Buff Cochins are a very attractive 
breed, from their immense size^ their beautiful and very 
uniform huff 'plumage, their profusion of feathers and 
fluff ; and they are useful as winter layers, as good 
mothers and nurses, and for their quick growth. The 
eggs are of fair medium size ; the flesh not of the best 
quality when old, but very good when eaten as young 
chickens, and especially good as broilers of six or eight 
weeks old, if they have grown with sufficient rapidity. 
The winning group of nine specimens were exhibited by 
Isaac Van Winkle, Esq., of Greenville, N. J." 

E. C. Newton of Batavia, 111., whose modest cut of 
the Buffs is at the end of this chapter, writes that they 
" are one of the largest and most popular breed of Poul- 
try in the country at the present time. They are of a 
beautiful golden buff color. Their legs are a yellowish 
orange and well feathered ; single comb and black tail. 
They are hardy birds, and being well feathered, stand 
our northern winters without extra care ; good market 
and table fowls — always in good order and easily fatted ; 
great winter layers, good sitters and mothers. They 
bear confinement well, and a four feet fence will amply 
limit them." 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 191 

The color of the Buff Cochin is more of a golden hue, 
than simply huff. The under shade upon the downy or 
fluffy portions of their plumage, is paler, but to look at 
when in their best feather, they are of a rich luminous 
yellow shade — sometimes aptly called " lemon colored." 
This hue is usually even^ all over the bodies of the hens, 
and none of the China fowls exhibit the soft, downy 
fluff so remarkably as do these. Upon the flanks and 
stern this peculiarity is very fully developed, and gives 
the female a rich, contented, comfortable appearance, 
that is seen in none others of the race. In tlie cock of 
this variety, portions of his plumage are red, or darker, 
as the wings, neck-hackles, etc., but the yellow color 
prevails in both. 

In England, for years, the Buff Cochin has been a 
favorite, and except when the Brahmas have been put 
into the exhibitions in competition for the prizes 
(simply " for the best Shanghaes," without regard to 
color) it has been with the Buffs that the leading 
premiums have been, for the most part, carried off. 
" The extreme neatness of their appearance," says 
Tegetmeier, " more particularly of the hens, the uni- 
formity in all the groups, and the quality of the 
specimens shown, have combined to justify the awards 
of judges, and to secure for the Buffs the preference of 
amateurs, generally. And in addition to this, the 
breeding birds shown have been brought to equal in 
weight those of any other variety." 

A very desirable recommendation to the Buff Cochin, 
is, that the fowl be strictly uniform in color, to answer 



192 buenham's new poultry-book ; 

the requirements of the present aimed-for standard ; and 
the nine fowls exhibited by Mr. Van Winkle were quite 
up, in this particular. As to size, those I have seen for 
the past two years, here, as well as hundreds I saw in 
England, are fully equal, on the average, to the largest 
and heaviest Brahmas I ever met with, anywhere. 
This is another strong recommendation in their favor. 
Americans will never get over their fancy — as a rule — 
to possess the biggest fowls to be had. The great size 
of the Shanghaes has always been the leading character- 
istic which the Yankee breeder most admires ; and no 
matter how perfect the Brahma, the Buff, the White, or 
the Partridge Cochin may be, in other respects, if he or 
she do not stand well up in the world, and bring down 
the steel-yard by his or her generous weight, as well, 
nobody wants such a Chinese fowl ! 

The Buff Cochins will do this. They are very large, 
weighty, elegant birds, and the portraits we give of 
Mr. E. C. Newton's, and those on pages 194, 195, give 
the reader a very fair idea of this magnificent variety, 
wliich is much sought after this year : than which no 
domestic fowls that move (and I do not now forget 
my fine light Brahmas) ever yet made a more satis- 
factorily beautiful appearance, on sward, in yard, or 
walk. 

A clutch of well-bred Yellow or Buff Cochins, upon a 
bright green lawn, for instance, in the sunshine of a 
clear June day, is a goodly sight to see, if we are a 
judge of golden beauty, or have an eye for color. In 
England I saw hundreds of these magnificent groups, 




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A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 193 

and the favorite color for Cochins, there, is now the 
Buff, as a general tiling. All the breeders have turned 
their attention, more or less, in this direction, within a 
few years, and some superb samples of this variety have 
been produced, first and last. 

Among the importations that have been made to this 
country, the gentlemen whose names I have mentioned 
in the early part of this chapter have succeeded in 
getting out (at round figures) many superior breeding 
birds of this class ; and it is very clear, from the active 
demand that is current for them and their eggs this 
3"ear, that the Buffs will become a favorite color with us, 
ere long. You can scarcely do better, than with this 
fowl. They are not yet plentiful, latterly, among us, 
and good samples are held at high prices, yet. But 
they breed rapidly, and the matter of price will quickly 
regulate itself. 

The following drawing is taken to represent the mag- 
nificent Buff Cochin prize-cock of D. W. Herstine, of 
Philadelphia — and the hen upon the next page is a 
portrait of another of the trio of first premium birds 
of this variety, at the last New York Exhibition (1870.) 
But these pictures, though they give the general con- 
tour of these splendid fowls, do not do Mr. Herstine's 
stock justice, in our opinion. We give place to the 
illustrations, however, and with the assurance to those 
who want really choice fowls, of this strain, that if pro- 
cured of Mr. H. out of this blood, they will get finer 
birds than these cuts represent ; though the pictures 
are very fair, in their way. 



194 



BURNHAM S NEW POULTRY-BOOK : 




BUFF COCHIN COCK. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 195 




BUFF COCHIN HEN. 



196 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

A breeder in Norfolk County informed me, in March, 
that he had sold all the Buff Cochin eggs he dared to 
contract to deliver this spring, at ten dollars a dozen, 
from a superior clutch of near twenty Buff fowls he 
shewed me. And very fine ones they were, too. He 
has no Buff fowls to sell, and good ones can only be 
had at higher prices than those at which almost any 
variety of ' fancy ' fowls are selling, this year. But 
they may now be had of the New York, Connecticut, 
Pennsylvania and western breeders, in this country, as 
is indicated in connection with the superior illustrations 
contributed to thi-s volume ; and, generally speaking, 
these gentlemen may be relied on, in their representa- 
tions. 

Every mother is prone to think her favorite bantling 
the prettiest and best in the world ; and chicken-dealers 
who become attached to any specialty in their way, 
incline similarly to the belief that their Fowls are the 
most economical, the most beautiful, the most desirable 
to buy, or to breed. If this commendable difference 
of opinion did not exist, to stimulate competition, and 
keep up a laudable regard for the various fine breeds of 
Poultry we have to choose from, there w^ould be little 
interest felt in the fowl-trade, to be sure ! 

And so we speak of this magnificent Buff Cochin 
with some earnestness, because we deem it, in every 
particular, a rare variety, in its beautiful perfection. 
For the present, in consequence of its noted superior 
qualities, this fowl will be taken up by fanciers, mostly. 
But there is no good reason why it should not be 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 197 

bought and bred and multiplied, bj every farmer and 
poor cotter in the country, as one of his varieties of 
poultry stock, since — whether he desires to reproduce 







*-.^-£vi^S^ 



YEAR OLD BUFF OR YELLOW SHANGH^S. 

it for sale to amateurs and small breeders, or for the 
better and higher and more useful purpose of con- 



198 



burnham's new poultry-book. 



tributing to the general improvement of the feathered 
stock of the country, or even for market uses only — 
this fowl possesses all the qualities needed, to fulfil his 
highest expectations. 

For a cross upon the ordinary native fowl of the 
interior, the Buff Cochin may be considered as good as 
the best of the Chinese race. The blood is strong, the 
size ample, the laying qualities excellent, and no fowl 
is more hardy than are these. To mix with the barn- 
yard Poultry (where pure breeding is not sought for) 
the farmer wdio has not tried the experiment we now 
hint at, will surely find it in his account at the year's 
end, if he introduces a few of these noble birds among 
his common poultry. 





CHAPTER XVI. 



THE HOUDAN, CREVECGEUR, AND LA'fLECHE. 

These are the notable French fowls, which have been 
imported into England largely, in the last half dozen 
years, and since the close of the American war into 
the United States, by fanciers, in considerable numbers. 
The high-sounding names of these birds — to wit, 
Crevecceur^ Houdan, and La Fleche, gave them a sudden 
popularity in England, and they came as quickly into 
favor in this country, when their merits had been briefly 
made known, after their introduction among us. 

199 



200 burnham's new poultry-book; 

When the author was in France (1867) he met with 
myriads of these fowls, scattered over the country, and 
the novelty of their facial appearance, with the horned 
comb, the white cheek, the towering crest, together with 
the superb metalic color ^ and the famous strut of some 
of them, arrested Jjis attention, while he was looking 
about among the poultry in that country ; and he thought 
these lively birds, as seen " upon their native heath," 
were altogether ' French-y,' when he first met with 
them. 

But although the writer went largely through the 
country villages where poultry-raising is carried on, he 
found no enthusiasm among the French people, over 
their French fowls. None whatever ! I met with no 
Frenchman who knew (or cared) anything about 
"pure" Houdans, La Fleche, or Crevecceur — though 
they dwelt in these three poultrj'-districts, and had bred 
these fowls all their lives. And very few natives can 
be found there who take any extraordinary interest 
in fowl-breeding, except for marketing, or in raising 
eggs for the albumen they can extract therefrom, and 
always find a ready profit upon, for the print-manufactur- 
ers' use. 

I saw large numbers of these " French " fowls, about 
which so much has been written and said in late years 
in England and America, in the north and western 
Departments of France, as well as around Mulhouse, 
in the east. At Rouen, (where one sees ducks that are 
ducks, by the way,) about Rheims, at Villelaie, near 
Paris, at Iloudan, in La'floche and Crevecceur districts, 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 201 

Dreux, Nogeiit, etc., I met with large numbers of 
these horned, shining black or flecked, active, pretty 
birds — which the owners would gladly sell at four to 
five francs each, in gold — for the best of them. But 
they have gone over to England, been well bred, and 
have sold at almost fabulous prices, in the past five 
years, there, as in this country as well. 

They are claimed to be first-class layers, generally, 
disinclined to sit, their flesh is white and tempting for 
table use, and they are not an expensive fowl to keep. 
They are a showy, handsome bird, not a large breed — 
averaging (in France) less than the Black Spanish, 
wliich they strongly resemble, save in the peculiar 
formation of comb, muff, and head-tufts — and have 
found many admirers in England and America both — 
though I really could see nothing in them, abroad, that 
would tempt me 'to bring a cage of them home, at a 
cost of less than a dollar apiece ; as I might have done, 
and had my choice of specimens among thousands. 

Still, there be many wlio fancy them ; and, as I have 
already remarked, they are being nicely bred, both here 
and in Great Britian ; where I looked for, but found 
only a few isolated trios, and these for the most part 
at the poultry bazaars about London and Liverpool. 
Probably there are more fine French fowls of the three 
varieties named herein, now in the United States, than 
there are in England ; and I am informed by several 
gentlemen who breed them, that the demand for both 
chickens and eggs of this present popular modern breed 
increases, largely, season after season, among us. 



202 burnham's new poultry-book; 

Prominent among the fine specimens of French birds 
in America, are those of Messrs. G. H. Warner, of 
New York Mills, Isaac Van Winkle, of Greenville, N. 
J., J. P. Buzzell, Clinton, Mass., Geo. Smith, HoUiston, 
Mass., G. W. Bradley, Hamden, Conn., Hamilton and 
Kirkham, New York, Geo. A. Deitz, Chambersburg, 
Pa., E. C. Newton, Batavia, 111., D. L. Stage and Co., 
Schenectady, N. Y., Henry Howland, Chicago, 111., G. 
W. Felter, Batavia, Ohio — and others, with whom I 
am unacquainted. But there are many who are breed- 
ing this stock carefully, and who think very highly of 
it, thus far. 

In reference to these French Fowls, of which this gen- 
tleman breeds the three varieties — Houdans, Creve- 
cceurs, and La Fleche — Mr. Van Winkle of Greenville, 
N. J., expresses a very favorable opinion. He has a su- 
perb stock of these fowls, and avers that " the Houdans 
are one of the mostvaluable breeds of poultry introduced 
into this country for many years — exhibiting unusual 
fertility, maturing early, very hardy, both as adults and 
chicks, their bodies being large and compact, flesh 
white, etc.," and this fancier speaks from experience, 
after faithful trial with them. 

Of the Crevecceurs, Mr. Yan W. remarks that " in 
giving my opinion from experience on the merits of this 
variety of French fowl, since I have kept them, (and I 
have closely studied their points), I find them to be 
large birds, good layers of unusual numbers of large 
eggs in autumn, when most other birds are in moult 
— of a greenish metallic black, in color, having heavy 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 203 

crests that give them a remarkably handsome and 
original appearance, while they are very tender to eat, 
and most excellent to cross with other fowls." The 
beautiful engraving on page 199 will give the reader a 
good idea of Mr. Warner's and Van Winkle's Houdans. 

In reference to the third variety, La Fleche^ this breed- 
er declares it to be " the finest domestic fowl known in 
France — where it has long been deservedly the favorite 
among both breeders and epicures ; very large, hand- 
some birds, of upright stately carriage, jet black in 
plumage. The comb is unlike that of any other fowl, 
growing from the head like two horns, with pleasant 
symmetry of form, but peculiarly characteristic of this 
elegant showy bird. These, too, are very prolific layers 
(as are all the French fowls,) the La Fleche producing 
tremendous sized eggs, usually — while, for the table, I 
consider them altogether unexceptionable." 

Mr. G. H. Warner, of New York Mills, Oneida Co., 
who was the winner of the New York State Poultry So- 
ciety's large gold medal prize, in 1869 for Houdans, 
says of the French fowls, that " were I to keep but two 
varieties of Domestic Poultry, I would select one of the 
Asiatic breeds, which we find to be good winter layers, 
good mothers, and a good table fowl; and my other 
choice would be the Houdan — in which we find a most 
excellent layer. They mature early, and, as in each of 
the other best known varieties, we have an abundance 
of delicate white meat, in this fowl — which is, also, a 
non-sitter." To Mr. Warner's fine French stock, of all 
three varieties, have been awarded the N. Y. Poultry 



204 burnham's new poultry-book; 

Society's Gold Medal, and other leading premiums, for 
their comparatively superior merits. 

Mr. Taylor, of Waterloo, N. Y., ^Yrites that '' this va- 
riety are becoming very popular, both as layers and ta- 
ble-fowls. They are of large size, weighing, w^hen fully 
grown, cock six to seven pounds ; hen, five to six 
pounds. They have proved, with us, the hardiest and 
therefore the most useful of any of the French fowl, and 
in our opinion, the farmer cannot select a variety that 
will pay him better, both in eggs and flesh. They have 
short legs, a round, well proportioned body, and top- 
knot falling backward. They are bearded and have five 
toes on each foot, the same as the Dorking, and are 
fully equal to that variety as table fowls." 

Many fanciers deem these among the choicest varie- 
ties yet imported into the country, for their size and in 
view of their laying qualities. The editor of tlie Amer- 
ican Agriculturist, at New York — whose opinions upon 
poultry is excellent, and whose judgment, too, is more 
sound than the average of agricultural editors, in this 
direction — has given all three of the popular Fiench 
varieties a fair trial, and commends them, very liigiily. 
They are certainly an ornamental fowl, and in a late 
number of the journal referred to, the editors who of- 
fered handsome prizes (upon their own account,) at the 
N. Y. State Poultry Fair in 1870, thus speak of the 
Houdans. " They are a French breed, a little less in 
size than the other famous French fowls, but not less 
valuable, being decidedly the hardiest and most prolific. 
The Houdans combine two valuable qualities — the pro- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 205 

duction oi flesh and eggs — each in a high degree of ex- 
cellence. . . . They have been thoroughly tried in 
this country, and prove excellent in every respect. A 
good cock weighs 7 pounds, a good hen 5 1-2 pounds. 
The quality of the flesh is fully equal to that of the 
Dorking." This is strong praise, from one who has 
tried them. 

Another good authority describes the La FlecTie as 
bearing " a strong firm body, well on its legs — appear- 
ing less than it is, because the feathers are close ; black 
plumage, having many points of resemblance with the 
Spanish fowl, from which I believe it to be descended, 
by crossing with the Crevecoeur. It has short-grained, 
juicy, delicate flesh, and puts on fat easily. As layers, 
they are superior to any breed except the Spanish ; but 
for the table, they are not so good as the Dorking." 
They have a peculiar upright double comb, protruding 
from the head like two fleshy horns with a slight top- 
knot at the back of the crown ; and are a stylish fowl, 
good layers, and the chickens are easy to rear. 

Of the three French varieties, the Crevecceur is the 
largest, and the best, says another authority, " while it 
is better known than the others. It lays a large num- 
ber of eggs, of good size — like the Black Spanish — and 
resembles that fine fowl, but for its unique head, crest, 
and short legs. This variety has the horny style of 
comb, too. Its legs are black or dark-skinned, its meat 
excellent, and it is a stately, sober-looking fowl, with a 
good carriage and fine plumage." 

Thus much in favor of these French breeds, the Creve- 



206 burnham's new poultry-book; 

coeurs, La Fleclie, and Houdan fowls, which I have 
fancied will hardly stand the test of time with us. A 
friend in Salem, Mass., who paid the sum of eighty dol- 
lars for a trio, two years ago, in New York, (of the 
Crevecoeurs,) wrote me not long since, " I have sold 
them all, and cleaned them out ; 1 have had enough of 
them. No more French birds for me." Another fancier 
who has tried them two years, writes me — "I am dis- 
appointed with the French fowls, and am tired of them. 
I very much prefer the Brahmas." And so do /, indeed ! 
I know but little of them personally, but I do not fancy 
them. The coy maiden frankly declared to the distaste- 
ful Dr. Fell: 

"I do not like you, Doctor Fell, 
The reason why, I cannot tell: 
But this alone I know full well, 
I do not like you. Doctor Fell ! ' ' 

With due deference to other fanciers' opinions, I say — 

I do not like the French Fowls well, 
The reason why, I cannot tell; 
But this alone I know full well, 
I do not like the French Fowls well. 

Other breeders who have tried them thoroughly, are 
of the exactly opposite opinion, and so, chacun a son 
gout ; every one to his taste, as the venerable dame re- 
marked, when she kindly kissed the cheek of her favor- 
ite cow. 




DARK BKAHMA HEN. WADE'S STOCK, PHIL' A. 

CHAPTER XVII. 



THE DARK BRAHMAS. 



This very popular variety of the race of Brahmas, 
has within the last few years come to be widely dissemi- 
nated over England and the United States ; and, on 
several occasions, specimens of these dark Brahmas 
have carried off the prizes, over all competitors, among 
the Shanghae tribe, at our Poultry Fairs. 

On this branch of the subject matter of our New 
Poultry Book, namely. Dark Brahmas, we submitted 
to the Editor of the New York Poultry Bulletin, some 
time since, the following article ; which appeared in 
that excellent journa), in the month of December, 1870. 
207 



208 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

ed's. bulletin. 

Gentlemen : The wide spread interest at present evinced, in this 
country and in Europe, in favor of the Asiatic breed of fowls, in- 
duces me to offer you a few Hnes on the subject of the so-called 
*' Brahraas" of the present day. I know something of this fowl, (or 
ought to !) and find myself justly accredited by Mr. Tegetmeier, in 
his exhaustive and superb " Poultry Book," with having introduced 
into England, from this country, the first dark Brahmas ever seen 
there; which Mr. T. describes, in said '* Poultry Book" as the enter- 
ing of " a new variety upon the scene." 

" M. Tegetmeier is relied on as authority upon the subject of 
modern poultry history, I believe, and I think very deservedly so. 
In tJiis matter, at all events, he is correct. Until the famous trio of 
'''dark Brahmas," which I sent to Mr. Baily of London, in 1853, 
reached him, there had been no Dark Brahmas (or dark " Grey 
Shanghaes," as I then called them,) ever seen in England. Previous- 
ly, (in 1852), I had sent to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, a flock of 
mature Light Brahmas, which were hatched early in 1851, of course, 
for they weighed over 20 lbs. the pair, when shipped from the United 
States by me. The parent birds these one-year-old fowls came from, 
were over two years old ; and I had bred the stock two seasons before 
I sent out the splendid specimens which I selected to present to the 
Queen. This would carry us back to 1849 — which was the year I 
came into possession of my first grey Chinese fowls ; from which, I 
solemnly believe all the earlier stock was bred, both in America and 
England, in connection with the fowls of Mr. Virgil Cornish, and Mr. 
Hatch ; which latter turned up to public view in the years 1850 and 
1851. 

"But neither of these gentlemen claim, (or ever claimed,) that so 
early as 1851, they had any but the light colored Brahmas; though I 
observe that Mr. Cornish hints in a late letter that he noticed in his 
stock a tendency to throw darker chickens after a while. And now 
will you permit me to state what is my firm belief, as to the present 
color and apparent character of the so called "Dark Brahmas," of 
today? 

" In all the samples I have seen, imported of late years from Eng- 
land, and I think no one here claims to have imported the "Dark" 
variety from anywhere else, I detect all the characteristics of the 
dark birds I sent out there, originally — with the single exception of 
the mottled black breast and lower body-feathers in some strains we 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 209 

have received here, from English breeders, — since 1866, for example. 

''They are very fine fowls. So were the first ones I sent over to 
England. I don't know that the English breeders have latterly im- 
ported from China (or elsewhere) fresh stock, to breed with what 
they received from me, first ; and of which, subsequently to 1852 and 
'53, I sent hundreds there, of fine samples. But, if they have done so, 
I have never heard of the fact. And, least of all, has there ever oc- 
curred a second importation of Brahmas (or any other named fowl) 
from the port whence is said to have sailed the ship with the first 
fowls on board, to wit: ^^ Luckipoor,from up the mouth of the Brama 
Pootra river; " the name of which ship, or captain, or the sailor who 
fiu'nished the fowls, cannot be told by anybody. 

" But all this is of small consequence, now. Those fowls were 
good ones. They have shown it in the twenty years since they were 
first bred here. But they were Chinese birds — they came from 
Shanghse, or Hong Kong as mine did ; and they were, and are 
nothing else. I know full well, when and where this ^^ Brahma^' 
name originated. I was one of that very " committee " alluded to by 
Mr. Cornish, who, in consultation, adopted this cognomen — though 
against my own personal protest, at the time. I knew, then, that 
the " Luckipoor, up the Brahma Pootra river" theory was nonsense. 
And I claimed that the fowls should be called what they were — 
" Grey Shanghaes;" for they came from Shanghse, China, and were 
simply grey, in color. I was over-ruled. It is just as well. But 
these are facts. 

"■I am firmly of the opinion that this recent??/ marked dark-breasted 
Brahma strain of fowls, which is so gi-eatly admired among some 
fanciers, and of which several trios have of late come out from Eng- 
land, are skilfully bred in Ireland and England from the dark China 
hens they have had there since 1853 and 1854, with the dark-plumed 
Grey Dorking cock ; producing this variety (so closely resembling the 
latter in many points, ) and upon some of the first of which, raised in 
England, there not unfrequently appeared the notable fifth toe of the 
Dorking, now bred off" again, by cautious selections. The Light 
Brahmas hold their own wondrously ; the newly-fledged dark varieties 
may continue to do as well, for years, for the blood of both is strong. 
But I shall not change my opinion in this matter, until I can learn 
or un learn more than I now know of the " dark Brahma" strain of 
the present time." Yours respectfully, G. P. Biirnham. 

Melrose, Sept., 1870. 



210 burnham's new poultry book ; 

The comments upon my commmiication, published by 
the Bulletin editor, were both fair and good-natured ; 
but do not change the facts embodied in my letter. I 
merely proposed to say that the first Dark Brahma fowls 
ever seen in England (and I sent several cages of fine 
ones out there, subsequently) were from my yards, in 
Melrose. That they were good ones, that this variety 
became immensely popular, that I was authoritatively 
given due credit for these shipments in the proper quar- 
ter, that the enterprise paid me well, and that that very 
stock was bred and distributed all over England, and 
finally sent hack to the United States^ from the very breed- 
ers I sold mine to — are simjoly matters of history. 
Having said thus much as to my Dark Brahmas, I have 
done with discussion upon this point. 

Cuts No. 4 and 5 are engraved from the original 
picture by Harrison Weir (in the London Field) of a 
pair of the noted trio of Dark Brahmas first sent to Eng- 
land by me, to Mr. John Bailey, Mount Street, London. 
This pair were exhibited at the Birmingham Poultry 
Show, took the first prize, and were sold at the close of 
the exhibition to Mr. E. Taylor, of Shepard's Bush, for 
one hundred guineas — over ^500 ! Mr. Bailey paid me 
$100 for this trio, a few months previous to the Bir- 
mingham Fair. The Brahmas I now breed are of the 
same stock, precisely, as well as those of the Light vari- 
ety, (see cut No. 3,) which I sent the same season from 
Melrose to Her British Majesty, Queen Victoria. 
They have taken many first prizes at the fairs both in 
England and America, where they have been shown in 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 211 

competition, and have proved first class, uniformly, 
when bred in their purity. 

This stock is pronounced, on both sides of the Atlan- 
tic, to be the laro^est and finest poultry in the known 
world, and hundreds of breeders and fanciers attest to 
the fact that, when properly cared for, they are the hest^ 
either as layers, for the table, or as breeders. I now 
keep but few fowls, and make a specialty only of raising 
the great Asiatic fowls — the Brahmas, the Partridge 
and the Buff Cochins — of which I can supply selected 
specimens, to order. Tliese fowls are good enough for 
me — and I have tried all kinds. 

The " Dark Brahma" we have in this country at the 
present time, and which is a very fine fowl — some 
strains being superior to others, however — has been 
brought into especial notice only since 1865-6. The 
editor of the New York American Agriculturist as well 
as of the Bulletin, have been largely instrumental in 
bringing the merits of these noble birds to the attention 
of the lovers of good poultry, and the different importa- 
tions that have come out from England, from Messrs. 
Bailey, Tebay, Cooper, Beldon, Boyle, Baker, Taylor, 
Bates and others, have proved generally very good and 
satisfactory birds ; which have received through the 
medium of the excellent and widely circulated journals 
mentioned, deserved encomiums, from time to time, to 
the great benefit of the importers, and to the poultry- 
loving community througliout the United States and 
the Canadas. 

But as I hinted in my communication last quoted — 



212 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

there are unmistakable evidences, in some of these sam- 
ples'of " Dark Brahmas," of what I met with while in 
England in 1867, and there first noticed — to wit, the 
palpable presence of the Gray Dorking blood. The black 
mottled breast, square form, dominique feather, is de- 
cidedly Dorking-ish. I saw several specimens of these 
" Dark Brahmas," so called, upon which I detected the 
fifth toe, which belongs inevitably to that race, as is well 
known. (See " Gray Dorking," page 220,) I have not 
seen this peculiarity here, yet. That all these dark 
Brahmas are bred with Dorkings, in England, I do not 
mean to suggest, by any means, and possibly few or 
none of those that have been imported into this country 
latterly from Great Britain, have been thus contamin- 
ated. But my original '' Dark Brahmas " were not 
black-breasted. They were dark mottled gray, and the 
neck and outer wing feathering was silvery white. In 
other respects they were like the light Brahmas, in 
form, etc. 

Now all these Dark Brahmas, mark, come from Eng- 
land and Ireland — latterly. Has any one in America 
imported from Shanghas, or from the Brahma-poutra 
River, tliat discharges itself into the Bay of Bengal " (!) 
or from Cochin China (! !) or from ani/ where on earth, 
else, except Great Britain, during the past five years, 
any Dark Brahma fowls ? Not one ! If they have, I 
have never heard of the fact, and shall gladly stand 
corrected, upon learning such importer's name. We do 
not get then, in all of these " dark Brahmas," the gen- 
uine thing, I apprehend. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 213 

Wc give in cut No. 12, a very fair illustration of 
these black-breasted Dark Brahmas — the color of which 
is too dark to suit our own taste ; but which strain 
of blood is certainly very popular among American 
fanciers. 

C. C. Loring of South Boston imported some very 
good specimens of this variety, which have become 
well known, and Pliilander Williams of Taunton, Isaac 
Yan Winkle of Greenville N. J., J. M. Wade of Phil- 
adelphia, and other enterprising poulterers and fanciers 
have imported other samples, of similar stock ; the pre- 
vailing color of the cocks (as is delineated in illustra- 
tion No. 12,) being of the very darkly flecked, or quite 
black breast, thighs, and under feathering — while the 
neck-hackles, saddles, and upper wing-coverts are sil- 
very white, splashed with pale straw-color. 

These male birds all partake in form of the hunchy 
Dorking fowl, manifestly. The color of the hens, how- 
ever, is even, and good. But, as we have bred the 
Dark Brahmas, for years past, and as they were* first 
introduced by us, into England, we contend that none of 
these birds which have latterly come under our obser- 
vation, are as fine in form, carriage, or color, as were 
tlie originals, from which we have for so long a period 
successfully and satisfactorily bred this variety. And 
this more strongly confirms us in the opinion that the 
Dorking has been mixed with these recently imported 
" Dark Brahmas ; " for we can plainly see that the sim- 
ilarity 0^ form, as well as deepened color of the Dork- 
ing, is strikingly developed in these samples. 



214 burnham's new poultry-book; 

It is notoriously known in England that my Brahma 
stock and that of others sent there from the United 
States, has been bred to the black-breasted Gray Dork- 
ing cock, to produce the coveted " dark mottled body " 
some of these best specimens show. When, by and bye, 
the ' fifth toe ' shows itself, here, on our dark Brahmas, 
then — nous verrons! 

Meantime, " blood will tell." The strong Chinese char- 
acteristics largely predominate in the " dark Brahmas " 
that T have seen here thus far, and I sincerely hope they 
will continue to produce their like ; for our American 
fanciers have now expended a deal of money on this 
variety ; and they ought (as I trust they have) to 
have secured pure-bred birds. This mottled-breasted 
Gray Dorking is a spendid fowl, and a great favorite, 
justly, amongst English fanciers. But /don't care to 
breed for a Brahma fowl one that has a taint of even the 
excellent sable-bosomed gray Dorking in it. When I 
want the latter, I will breed the Dorking, pure, if I can 
procure the stock. But I have yet to be convinced that 
the crossing of these two breeds improves the heathen 
Chinee-Brahma, though you may thus get the black 
breast, for a time. I am looking for it constantly — and 
I hope yet to see (if my suspicions prove correct) some 
account of the progeny of this new dark Brahma stock, 
down into the fourth or fifth generation, if possible, di- 
rect ; whereby we may learn whether or not the fifth toe, 
the long tail, or the smooth leg of the Dorking crops out 
at last among these chickens ! 

The Dark Brahmas that have been exhibited within 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 215 

the past two or three years at our American Poultry 
Fairs, have certainly been very fine — except for the 
reasons 1 have sugoested — that they are a little too 




PEA-COMB DARK BRAHMAS, AND GAME BANTAMS, AS BRED BY 
D. L. STAGE & CO. SCHENECTADY, N. Y. 

dark for my taste. But they have given great satisfac- 
tion, and, as far as heard from, have bred truly, it 



216 burnham's new poultry-book; 

is said. Cut No. 5 is a portrait of one of the Dark 
Brahma hens I sent to Mr. Baily, of London, the pre- 
mium bird ; and the picture is an admirable one — 
delineating the best contour of this noted fowl. 

I was not surprised, a few days since, to receive a let- 
ter from a leading breeder of this variety, who has im- 
ported several trios of Dark Brahmas, who is a thor- 
ough stickler for purity of blood, and who has paid 
roundly for his specimens imported from England ; 
from which letter I quote the following expressive 
words — in support of these last suggestions of mine. 
He says " I have seen enough of Cooper's, Boyle's, and 
Beldon's fowls, not to purchase any more of them. I 
can beat any of the English Dark Brahmas, infinitely, 
with my own — and I have now six different English 
strains of dark Brahmas ! " Has my worthy friend 
begun to discover in the English strains the ' cloven 
foot,' alias the fifth toe, of the black-breasted Grey 
Dorking, possibly ? 

On page 215 may be seen the likeness of another 
superior male specimen of this noted breed, from im- 
ported stock. This represents the stock of Mr. New- 
ton, and those also from the well know establishment 
of Mr. Wm. H. Pond, Milford, Conn., C. H. Edmonds, 
Melrose, Mass., and others. These Dark Brahmas are 
believed to be of perfectly pure China blood, and chick- 
ens bred from them come up admirably, thus far. This 
fowl stock has taken leading premiums at the Fairs in 
1869, and 1870, and the progeny promises finely, thus 
far. 




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A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 217 

Cut No. 6 represents a third group of superb 
Dark Brabmas, from tbe imported stock of D. W. Her- 
stine, of Pbiladelphia. Tbese, like tbe otbers, present 
tbe prominent cbaracteristics of tbe true Brabma, in 
feature, form, and size — and tbose wbo bave bred from 
tbe descendants of tbese fowls, pronounce tbe cbickens 
perfect. All tbis is bigbly satisfactory. May tbey 
continue to do so — is our bearty wish, for tbe credi- 
of tbe English breeders, as well as for tbe benefit of 
American purchasers ; wbo, as a rule, prefer tbis strain 
of fowl without tbe excellences which may attach to the 
Gray Dorking, in its pure state. 

The imported Dark Brabmas of C. C. Loring, of 
Boston, bave attained to very considerable notoriety, 
and both chickens and eggs from his stock have given 
great satisfaction. We have yet to see any better sam- 
ples, however, than tbose bred last year and this by 
Mr. Mark Pitman of Salem, and Mr. J. Graves of 
Eeading, Mass. 

Mr. E. J. Taylor of Waterloo, N. Y., breeds the 
Brabmas, light and dark, the Buff and Partridge 
Cochins, a few of tbe choicest Games, and one or two 
French strains, with gi-eat care and success. He in- 
forms us that he packs eggs for incubation carefully in 
dry saw-dust, and finds that tbey batch a fair per- 
centage. He adds, " I breed only a few varieties, to 
which I give my attention, and I speak from experi- 
ence when I say that these few combine all the good 
qualities, while they are free from many of the faults 
of other varieties, many of which I bave discarded, after 



218 burnham's new poultry-book. 

testing, at different times, in favor of those I now keep. 
My breeding stock has been selected with great care, 
and in accordance with W. B. Tegetmeier's standard, 
acknowledged the best. I have several breeders, im- 
ported from Cooper and Beldon ; but I have also my 
own home-bred stock — equal to the others in size and 
fine points — while my Games are from celebrated 
strains, renowned alike for their courage, stamina, and 
beauty." 




DARK BRAHMAS. 



Of these Mr. Taylor writes us that " this noble 
variety are becoming popular very rapidly, and are 
worthy of all that is said and written in their praise. 
They are excellent layers, especially in winter, good 
sitters and mothers, and very good for table use. I 
have one cock and eight hens of this variety, all of which 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 219 

are elegantly pencilled and free from Vulture hock. 
The cock, at eight months old, weighed nine pounds 
two ounces, and is indeed a noble specimen of his 
class." 

Mr. Taylor informs us that he takes especial pride in 
his yard of light Brahmas, and thinks that no one can 
produce a fmer lot of breeders than he now has in 
stock of this favorite variety — either for pedigree or 
exactness in pencilling. Mr. T. purchased of Isaac 
Yan Winkle Esq., his entire stock of the " Duke of 
York " strain, and a portion of the celebrated " Auto- 
crat " strain — both these being from the splendid im- 
ported stock of E. C. Comey, of Quincy, originally. Mr. 
T's Buff Cochins are said to be very superior, from 
prize birds, and equal to the best. But this extensive 
breeder deems the Partridge Cochins altogether unex- 
ceptionable. His Buffs are imported directly from the 
yards of J. C. Cooper, and are pronouncnd to be among 
the choicest of this race now in America. 





CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE ENGLISH GRAY DORKING. 



I CALL this superior fowl the English Gray Dorking, 
because, like the Houdan, La Fleche, etc., already de- 
scribed as natives of France, this bird is indigenous to 
Great Britain ; and all early English writers set down 
this really fine variety, par excellence, at the head of 
the list of domestic poultry. This opinion ruled, how- 
ever, prior to the introduction of the Queen's Cochin 
Chinas, or my Brahma fowls, into merrie England ; since 

220 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 221 

when, nous avons change tout cela ! At the head of this 
chapter we give an authentic portrait copied from an 
excellent English poultry book, published in 1850 ; 
wherein this variety is described minutely. 

Englishmen may be permitted best to know the char- 
acter and value of their own native productions. In re- 
gard to the Dorking Fowl, the editor of the Farmer's 
Gazette (in 1859) says of the particular bird above il- 
lustrated, that its owner, " Mr. Nolan brought the cock 
figured above, to our office on the 23d of January, when 
we had him weighed ; the bird was in moult, and 
his condition much reduced. He weighed, in that state 
ten and a quarter lbs., and we have no doubt that when 
in full plumage and condition, he will weigh nearer 14 
lbs. than 12. We can also state from our own knowl- 
edge, that the common roadside cock, even in the wild- 
est district in Ireland, would weigh alive, from 7 to 9 
lbs." 

This statement was brought out in reference to the 
account given of the male Dorking fowls average weight, 
by the Rev. Mr. Dixon, author of" Ornamentaland Do- 
mestic Poultry ;" who therein states that " a fine Dork- 
ing cock weighed only about 7 pounds." 

The cocks of the Gray Dorking breed at one to two 
years old, in good condition, will average from 10 1-2 to 
12 lbs. weight, hens of same age, 7 to 8 lbs. They have 
moderate length of leg, averaging about that of the 
Shanghae race, short, plump, roundish bodies, ample 
tails, square, full dark plumed breast, and their meat is 
rich, white and juicy. As a table fowl they have no su- 



222 burnham's new poultry book ; 

perior;and here we come to the important point already 
alluded to, as it appears in some recently found " Dark 
Brahmas," probably crossed with this strongly marked 
bird. " Their plumage is gray or mottled, the cocks hav- 
ing black or dark speckled breasts^ and the feet being fur- 
nished with the distinctive markings of an additional, or 
fifth toe. They originated in Surrey county, England, 
and are described by other early authors, as a very large 
breed, with five toes, being good layers and sitters." 
There can be " no fowl better calculated to enhance the 
profits of the farm-yard than this, from their goodly 
size, abundant flesh, and their uniformity in breeding. 
What we want and expect in this fowl is size ; and these 
Gray Dorking birds have it, in perfection." 

Columella, who wrote about poultry as far back as 
sometime in the first century, describes the Gray Dork- 
ing of to-day very accurately, and classed it then as " the 
best fowl of his time — speckled in color ^ dark-breasted, 
of fine plumage, and possessing five toes." Columella 
also wrote this advice hundreds of years ago about the 
Dorking : — " Let the white ones be avoided, for they are 
comparatively tender." And Mr. Courtney, who im- 
ported the Grays in '43, says " the whites are bred out ; 
the Gray Dorking variety is now the rage, and are alto- 
gether, perliaps, the best barnyard fowls in existence." 

It will be seen by the life-like engraving we give (cut 
No. 8.) that the male Gray (or true') Dorking of which 
we have been speaking, is a very distinctly marked and 
formed bird. The breast is black, mottled or flecked 
with white, his comb is either upright or rose, he issliort- 



A PKACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 223 

legged, and square-bodied ; most of these characteris- 
tics predominating in a greater or less degree, in the 
new-fashioned " Dark Brahmas ;'* regarding which latter 
variety even the ever careful editors of the American 
Agriculturist remark, in March 1871, that they " have 
useful characteristics, very clearly resembling the Co- 
chins," but " their plumage bears a striking resemblance 
to that of the Gray Dorking, in color ; having, how- 
ever, the different flufiy, downy texture of the Chinese 
fowl." The plumage of the late prize Gray Dorkings at 
the N. Y, Poultry Show thus referred to in that admir- 
able journal, and illustrated upon the same page, does 
indeed " bear a striking resemblance " to the plumage 
of the prize Dark Brahmas. The color and markings 
upon breast, flanks, wings, saddle and neck — are almost 
identical ! 

But the Gray Dorking (see Herstine's fine illustration, 
cut No. 8) is now preferred in England, by many breed- 
ers, over all others, and this chosen variety has had a 
wondrously steady reputation, there, for centuries. 
There can be no doubt that this fowl is thus deservedly 
popular in the Island that produced it, luckily ; and the 
samples which have reached this country have always 
attracted attention, from their great size and beauty of 
plumage. But when the excitement began to turn in 
1844 '5 towards the Queen's " Cochin Chinas," and sub- 
sequently took another surge in favor of the '' Brahmas," 
and then towards the Buff and Partridge Shanghaes, or 
Cochins, the Gray Dorking was forgotten for the time, 
even in England, comparatively. But a use was soon 



224 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

found for this temporarily neglected, though ever re* 
liable bird — among fanciers. 

Thus it was thought to be a " happy idea " in the in- 
dividual who first conceived and adopted the plan of 
utilizing the strong blood of the Gray Dorking, whose 
speckled plumage somewhat resembled that of the 
dark colored Brahma, in England, by breeding this 
Gray Dorking male to grey China pullets. The result 
was highly satisfactory, in the first generation — for, 
though the Gray Dorking blood was known to be so 
well established that it will mark its imprint on any 
race of fowls known — to the surprise and gratification 
of the breeder, the blood of the China bird proved to 
be so much the strongest, that this cross produced only 
an " improved Brahma," instead of the half-anticipated 
improved Dorking. 

But the ' cloven foot ' perplexed them. The fifth toe 
came out upon some of the very best specimens grown 
in Europe, at the outset. Through breeding these hens 
back to the grey Slianghae male, however, this imper- 
fection disappeared ; and, persistently followed, the 
sought-for improved " Dark Brahma " of our later day 
was in some instances gained. The Gray Shanghaes at 
Her Majesty's Poultry-house were bred in this way, to 
the Gray Dorking, for a time, as was admitted by the 
Queen's poultry-keeper, himself. But this was tried as 
an experiment, merely — as many other experiments 
are constantly being tried there. Yet might not some 
of that very progeny from the royal aviary at Windsor, 
have found its way into the hands of dealers in London, 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 225 

or elsewhere, readily ? The product of the first cross 
was very fine, and the thus " improved " Gray Shangliaes 
were really splendid looking specimens of English 
" Dark Brahmas." In the hands of the uninitiated, or 
not over-careful sellers of poultry, in England — for 
there may possibly be such dealers in that country — 
might not the thus Gray Dorking-ized Grey Chinese 
fowl be rendered a very saleable " Dark Brahma," for 
the nonce ? I think so. But I may be mistaken. 

Still, the Gray Dorking, in its purity, will always 
stand upon its feet alone, as one of the very best 
varieties of Domestic Fowl in the world. It is a large 
fowl, too. When well bred, the weight of both cocks and 
hens average as heavy as the largest. Its meat is un- 
rivalled. They lay good sized eggs, and a goodly num- 
ber of them, annually. As sitters and as mothers they 
are faultless. In plumage, they are showy and stately, 
until they get to be aged — when they ' hunch down,' 
and become soggy. But, taken all in all, this favorite 
bird can scarcely be excelled, for most of the qualities 
that are desirable in a fowl of the very first class, uni- 
formly. 

Mr. D. W. Herstine, of Philadelphia, an extensive 
and spirited breeder, furnishes Cut No. 8, for our 
pages (among other very good ones) and he writes us 
that while he " is an advocate of pure breeding, as a 
rule, yet if a cross is desired for the farmer or large 
poulterer, none is in his judgment more desirable than 
the Gray Dorking, upon any variety — for general utility, 
and satisfactory results to the breeder. But for a prime 



226 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

cross, the great Dorking fowl upon the Brahma or 
Cochin, is unexceptionable ; and will prove the most 
largely profitable to the producer, both in weight of 
progeny, at a given period, and in weight of eggs, 
regularly." 

The popular character of this Dorking fowl, which 
has for centuries been a deserved favorite on the other 
side of the Atlantic, and superb specimens of which 
have in late years been imported by several gentlemen 
into the United States, affords us ample evidence of its 
genuine merits ; and we are well aware that for a cross 
upon our native or other breeds of fowl-stock — where 
strictly pure blood of any variety is not sought — this 
fowl has no superior among us. 





CHAPTER XIX. 

THE GAME FOWL, AND ITS USES. 

Epicures insist that no domestic bird known equals 
the Game Fowl, for the spit. Cock-fighting amateurs 
(in that line of " the fancy,") affirm, with equal empha- 
sis, that this is the only one for the pit. We will take 
it for granted that both these assumptions are correct. 
We have eaten this toothsome fowl-meat, frequently, 
but never raised a game chicken, or fought one ; 
though, in our time, we have been present at more than 
one contested main, where hundreds of these spunky, 

227 



228 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

beautiful, active belligerents have gone in and won — or 
lost, the fiercely and hotly-fought battle, a V outrance. 
We shall not venture into ecstacies over the pug- 
nacious qualities of this fowl, inasmuch as individu- 
ally we look upon this use of one of God's creatures 
as equivocal ; and the worthy Mr. Bergh has taken the 
matter of cock-fighting under his care, as a leader in the 
charity of that benevolent institution known as the 
" Society for the Prevention of cruelty to Animals," 
with a view to the extermination of this *' sport " in the 
northern States. When he succeeds in putting a stop 
to this popular amusement, he will undoubtedly let the 
public know it ! 

There be those who raise this fine Fowl in quantities 
for both pit and spit, and with rare skill, among our 
poultry fanciers ; and our Book would certainly be in- 
complete without a chapter devoted to this (in many 
phases) remarkable bird — which is a distinct variety 
of the race of fowls, and altogether peculiar to itself. 
Its eagerness for combat, its unyielding courage under 
fearful punishment, and its plucky, daring, hardy, 
saucy character, from the shell to its death, are but its 
natural tendencies. 

Those who have never seen these courageous little 
creatures in a matched battle, can have no idea of the 
amount of abuse they can endure in the arena. But 
tlie sport has now fallen into disuse in our immediate 
Christian community, though it is practised largely in 
other parts of America, especially at the South and 
West, we are informed ; and thousands of these Game 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 229 

Fowls are annually raised, bought and sold, by breeders 
who have the better strains of fighting-stock, which are 
sent out in all directions in this country. 

The origin of cock-fighting is Grecian, but the Cubans 
and Spaniards have always largely indulged in what 
they term this '' pastime." At Athens, this amuse- 
ment was made a political, and at one time partially a 
religious institution, and was kept up there for a 
period, for the avowed purpose of " improving the valor 
and courage of their youth." The Romans fought 
Quails, as well as Cocks. For the information of 
our readers, we annex a brief history and description 
of this Fowl, and tlie uses to which it is put, written by 
one who is better acquainted with this particular branch 
of chicken- raising than we pretend to be. 

" It is not known when the ' pitched battle ' was first 
introduced into England. We have no notice of cock- 
fighting earlier than the reign of Henry II. It is de- 
nser) bed then, as the sport of school-boys, on Shrove 
Tuesday ; the theatre was the school, and the school- 
master was controller and director of the sport. The 
practice was prohibited under Edward III., but became 
general under Henry VIIL, who was personally at- 
tached to it, and established a cock-pit at Whitehall, to 
bring it more into credit. James the First was so fond 
of cock-fighting, that, according to Monsieur de la 
Bodenie, ambassador for Henry IV. to the King, he con- 
stantly amused himself with it, twice a week. Under 
' the good Queen ' Elizabeth, this rough sport was not 
less in vogue, and the learned Roger Ascham then 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 231 

favored the world with a treatise on the subject. There 
was at that time a pit in Drury-lane, Horse-ferry road, 
and Gray's-Inn-lane, St. James's Park, and another in 
Jewin-strect ; but the practice was a second time pro- 
hibited, by an act under the Protectorsliip. The Dublin 
pits are of a more recent date, where the Meaths and 
Kildares often proved the powers of their cocks. 
The fights were managed by men who made a liveli- 
hood by it, and were called handlers : they alone were 
admissible within the " magic circle " of the fightinoj 
arena. 

" A cock-pit, like a race-course, in a sporting point 
of view, is for every person ; and selection of company 
is entirely out of the question. The noble lord and 
the needy commoner, were both at home, after they had 
paid their tip for admission, and persons who enter the 
pit to sport a crown, bet a sovereign, or to put down 
their pounds, are too much interested upon the main, to 
consider who they may choose to " rub against " for the 
time being. 

" Cock-fighting was kept up with great spirit at New- 
castle. At one of their late meetings, the cockers at 
the above place, in point of extent, exceeded everything 
of the kind known in Great Britian. Upwards of 200 
cocks were fought, and the fighting was generally good. 
A remarkable circumstance occurred on the Saturday 
before fighting. A match was made for 20 sovereigns, 
between Parker and Reed, feeders, and won by the 
latter after a hard contest. Parker's cock, however, 
came round so soon after, that his party made a second 



232 burnham's new poultry-book; 

match, to come, off, on the following Monday, for a like 
sum, which was again won by Reed, after a severe 
battle — a circumstance, perhaps, altogether unknown 
in the annals of cocking. It is also calculated that, at 
the termination of the races, which finished with cock- 
ing, upwards of 1,000 cocks had met their death. New- 
castle, therefore, challenged the world for cock-fighting. 
Cheltenham, Chester, Gloucester, Norwich, Lancaster, 
Preston, Stamford, &c., &c., were celebrated for their 
cocks. The patrons were the Earl of Derby, Sir Wil- 
liam Wynne, Ralph Benson, Esq., &c., &c. 

" The exterior qualifications of a cock are, head thin 
and long, or, if not, very taper ; a large, full eye ; beak 
crooked and stout ; neck thick and long (a cock with a 
long neck has a great advantage in the battle, particu- 
larly if his antagonist is one of those cocks that will 
fight at no other place but the head) ; his body short 
and compact, with a round breast (as a sharp-breasted 
cock carries a great deal of useless weight about him, 
and never has a fine forehand) ; his thighs fine and 
thick, and placed well up to the shoulder (for where a 
cock's legs hang dangling behind him, he never can 
maintain a long battle); his legs long and thick, and if 
they correspond with the color of his beak — blue, gray, 
or yellow — a perfection ; his feet should be broad and 
thin, with very long claws. With regard to his car- 
riage, he should be upright, but not stifily so ; his walk 
should be stately, and not plod along, as some cocks do, 
with their wings upon their backs, like geese ; his color 
rather gray, yellow, or rose, with black breast ; his 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 233 

Spurs rough, long, and looking inward. As to the color 
he is of, it is immaterial ; there are good cocks of all 
colors ; hut he should be thin of feathers, short, and 
very hard, which is another proof of his being healthy. 
A cock, with all his stoutness, length, and thickness of 
leg, rotundity of breast, '' fine forehand," firmness of 
neck, and extent of wing, ought not to weigh more than 
41b. 8 or lOoz. ; if he happens to have an ounce or two 
more in his composition, he is out of the pale of the 
pit, and is excluded by match-makers, from " fighting 
within the articles." A bird, to be a bird, " fit for the 
white bag, the trimmed wing, the mat, and the silver 
spur," must be light upon the leg, light fleshed, and 
large boned, but still no more than 41b. 8 or lOoz. 

" A cock-pit was a large, lofty, circular building, with 
seats rising, as in an amphitheatre ; in the middle of it 
was a round, matted stage, of about 18 or 20 feet in 
diameter, and rimmed with an edge eight or ten inches 
in height, to keep the cocks from falling over in their 
combats ; there was a chalk ring in the centre of the 
matted stage, of a yard diameter ; and another chalk 
mark within it, much smaller, which was intended for 
the setting-to, when the shattered birds were so en- 
feebled as to have no power of making hostile advances 
towards each other. This inner mark admitted of 
their being placed beak to beak. A large and rude 
branched candlestick was suspended low down, immedi- 
ately over the mat, which was used at the night-battles. 
The birds were weighed and. matched, and then marked 
and numbered ; the descriptions were carefully set down 



234 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

in order that the cock should not be changed ; the light- 
est cocks fought first in order. The key of the pens, in 
which the cocks were set and numbered, was left on the 
weighing-table ; or the opposite party might, if he 
pleased, put a lock on the door. The utmost care was 
taken that the matched fowls should fight, and that no 
substitutes should be intruded." 

Sometimes the first blow is fatal, at another time the 
contest is long and doubtful, and the cocks show all the 
obstinate courage, weariness, distress, and breathless- 
ness which mark the struggle of experienced pugilists. 
The beak opens ; the tongue palpitates ; the wing drags 
on the mat ; the legs tremble, and the body topples over 
upon the breast ; the eye grows dim, and even a per- 
spiration breaks out upon the feathers of the back. 
When the battle lasts long, and the cocks lay helpless 
near or upon each other, one of the feeders counts ten, 
and the birds are separated, and set-to at the chalk. 
If the beaten bird does not fight while forty is counted, 
and the other pecks or shows signs of battle, the former 
is declared conquered. And except when one or the 
other is killed outright, which frequently occurs, this 
ends the battle between these two — and another 
matched pair arc brought in, to go through this routine, 
" to death or victory." 

The flesh of the Game fowl is white, tender, and del- 
icate ; the eggs rather small, mostly inclining to a light 
buff. Cockers have numerous names for the different 
colors — such as piles, black-breasted reds, silver- 
breasted ducks, dark grays, mealy grays, blacks, span- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 235 

gles, cuckoos, gingers, red duns, smoky duns, among all 
of which good birds may be found ; but the following are 
considered superior to any parti-colored birds — namely : 
dark reds, dark black-breasted red, dark black-breasted 
birch in ducks, black-breasted duck-wing grays, clear 
mealy grays, dark black-breasted grays, and red duns. 




The general appearance of the Game hen is quite in 
character with that of the cock. In one respect, she is 
a more important personage, as it is an axiom among 
cock-masters that the produce of an ill-bred hen is 
worthless, no matter how superior the cock may be ; 



236 burnham's new poultry-book. 

but that an indifferent cock and superior hen may pro- 
duce good birds. It is not indispensable that the eggs 
should be buff-colored : that generally received idea is a 
popular error. 

To enter into further minutiae of the fighting charac- 
ter of this fowl, would be to furnish little that would 
interest my readers. Suffice it to say, the cock is con- 
fined for a month in a small wooden pen, with but little 
light ; fed at various periods of his incarceration with 
different kinds of food adapted to bring about the condi- 
tion of wind and limb required for the battle, and to fit 
him finally for the cock-pit previous to the setting-to, 
when they are frequently pruned and trimmed in the 
shape as seen on next page, and placed in the ring, to 
be spurred and battered to death. 

The rules of the arena for matched game fowls above 
set down, governed the English and Irish pits. In the 
American ring the regulations are different, and heavier 
birds are bred and fought here. The general ideas, 
however, are followed out, and the amount of this sort 
of business indulged in at various points in the United 
States can only be guessed at, from the large sales made 
every year by those who breed this kind of fowl care- 
fully in various sections. Hundreds and thousands of 
these birds, male and female, are purchased, however, 
by gentlemen who never think of entering them in a 
cock pit ; their remarkable laying, sitting and table 
qualities being first-class, and rendering them very de- 
sirable for crossing upon native or other breeds. 

One thing is very certain, to wit, that in our exhibition 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 237 




GAME COCKS TRIMMED FOR RATTLE. 



rooms, notwithstanding the attractions that the larger 
China varieties afford, the visitor's attention is always 
arrested by the show in the Game pens, and everybody 
is delighted with the beauty and proud carriage of these 
martial looking birds. Mr. Hewitt says " among any 
of the truly bred Game fowls, the superiority of gait, and 
general contour strikes the eye of parties, even the most 
indifferent and uninterested ; and from this cause I have 
almost universally noticed that the avenues appropri- 
ated to the Games, at our poultry shows, are those most 
commonly thronged by visitors. And this fully proves 
how much a good display in these classes tends to the 
pecuniary success of such exhibitions.'' 

At the present time, a great many American breeders 
have gone to raising Game fowls, and frequent fresh im- 



238 



burnham's new poultry book ; 



portations are being made by fanciers in this country, 
who have turned their attention latterly to this variety, 
in some instances as a specialty in poultry. From the 
pugnacious disposition of this fowl, it is not well to 
breed it contiguously to other varieties, however ; and 
to breed it well, only prime stock should be used, and 
the utmost care given to the business. 




GAME COCK AND HKN. 



Those who have tried the game fowls of S. J. Bestor 
and S. C. Colt, of Hartford, Conn., are unanimous in 
the declaration that no strains of blood in New England 
of this variety are bred with greater care, .or which 
excel these in all the attributes that go to make up the 
best of the race. These fanciers take a becoming pride 



A PKACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 239 

in importing and producing the choicest kinds of games, 
and they have uniformly taken first premiums whenever 
they have competed at the fowl Shows, with their ele- 
gant birds of this species. Samples of this stock, bred 
originally in their walks, have also frequently carried 
off prizes, when exhibited by purchasers of their fine 
strains ; and they very confidently challenge compari- 
son, for beauty of form, feather, carriage, pluck and re- 
liableness, with the progeny of their superior Game 
stock. Messrs. Bestor and Colt have in their possession 
upwards of two hundred premiums which have been 
awarded them for their exhibited fowls, consisting of 
medals, plate, monies, diplomas, etc., and it is but just 
to state that all who have dealt with them have been 
more than satisfied with what they so carefully send out 
from their well conducted yards. There are others who 
breed this beautiful variety, but we know of none who 
have been so successful, and who take more earnest pains 
to keep their Game stock up to the fighting standard, so 
uniformly, as do these gentlemen ; and the above spirit- 
ed engraving — drawn expressly for them, from a Game 
cock and hen upon their own premises, gives a good idea 
of the style of their favorite birds. 

The spirited illustration to be found in cut No. 9 is a 
truthful likeness of the ever popular Black Red Games, 
bred to a nicety. Messrs. Dudley, Brothers, of Augus- 
ta, N. Y., write : "we are making the breeding of the 
Game fowl a specialty, and have added to our previous 
variety, five kinds during the past year. Though our 
experience is not so large as some, yet we find there is 



240 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

great satisfaction in the business, and in knowing that 
we breed pure bloods. It is important that those who 
undertake this work should have a knowledge of the val- 
uable " points " in such fowls, and then they should se- 
lect the very best to be had. The Game hen should be 
as large as can be found, so that the chicks should be 
good sized. The cock should be of the right color de- 
sired, since the progeny will more generally take their 
color from the male bird. Early chickens of this breed, 
like others, are the best, as they then have time to ma- 
ture, or nearly so, before our cold weather sets in — and 
such chicks have proved with us to be more hardy, and 
less liable to disease. We have not been troubled with 
vermin or sickness in our birds, but always deem it best 
if we send off fowls, to have them pass through quar- 
antine, before putting them with others ; so that if not 
sound, they may be cured before contaminating their 
new mates. Precaution of this kind is not troublesome, 
and ensures greater satisfaction to both seller and buy- 
er. We have satisfied ourselves that careful breeding 
tells, and we are sure that such a course can be render- 
ed profitable in the end." 

Col G. W. Meacham, of North Cambridge, Mass., has 
expended a good deal of money in importing from the 
most noted yards of England and Ireland, several choice 
strains of sturdy Games, which he breeds with cautious 
nicety and skill ; and gentlemen who covet first-rate 
birds of this variety, can rely upon obtaining genuine 
bloods of this dealer. Col. Meacham takes pride in hav- 
ing the very best that money can procure, from abroad, 




:^o, 12. LATELY IMPORTED DARK BRAH.VIAS, 

I-rcui by i- \':>ii "\Vinkl.'\ Jos. M. M'jide, Pliilaiul«M- V/illiams, ,1. Grave."^, 
G. 1', Burtii:..im, C. 11. li:diuoiids, illurk riliiiiiu, etc. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 241 

and does not halt at their cost, when he knows he can 
obtain the thing, on either side of the Atlantic, to im- 
prove his already well supplied yards at Somerville. 
He breeds some other fine varieties — among them be- 
ing the Chinese fowl ; but none excel him for reliable 
and well trained Game birds. 




DUCK-WING GAME COCK. 



G. W. Felter, of Batavia, Ohio, makes a specialty of 
Game Fowls, also, and has what is esteemed in the 
West the leading variety — and the favorite in that sec- 



242 burnham's new poultry-book ; 



tion — known as the " Derby White " game ; imported 
in '62, and bred by A. Oskamp, up to '69. They vary 
in weight from 4 1-2 to 6 lbs., and for style, symmetry 
and true game qualities, these are said to be unsurpassed. 
Mr. Felter writes me that, in his experience, he has 
found that " the care of young chicks is of the utmost 
importance, soon after their hatching ;" and adds, *' I 
have long been a lover of fine poultry, but until I prac- 
ticed it, did not appreciate the following mode of bene- 
fitting these delicate little creatures — not being for 
some time aware that every chicken taken from the sit- 
ting nest, is at first very lousy. I now carefully grease 
them, the day after hatching, under wings and on the 
head, and also the mother-hen in the same way and at 
the same time, using common fresh lard, and repeating 
the operation in two weeks. The vermin thus destroy- 
ed are a source of great trouble and evil to both old and 
young fowls. I think this has much to do with produc- 
ing gapes in chickens ; and this application of the lard, 
seasonably, will be found an excellent prevention 
against this troublesome disease." Mr. Felter's plan is 
an old but good one. A better one, however, is to sat- 
urate the nest-box (inside and at bottom.) just before 
you set your hen, with kerosene oil — and you will find 
no lice on your newly-hatched chicks. 

The following breeders have superb Game birds, all 
of the best blood and varieties to be had in America. 
Their stock is imported from England and Ireland, and 
these dealers are constantly renewing their strains from 
the best yards in Great Britain. They are experienced 



A PRi^CTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 243 

in the reproduction of the various styles of popular 
Game fowl, and inform us that they can supply orders 
for first-class birds. S. J. Bestor, and 8. C. Colt, Hart- 
ford Conn., have a splendid stock. Isaac Van Winkle, 
Greenville, N. J. has paid attention to importing and 
raising superior bloods, and has recently received from 
Ireland fresh stock. D. L. Wilbor, of Boonsboro', 
Iowa, has fine strains, which are well kept up. J. W. 
P. Hovey, Evanston, Ill's., keeps good stock. C. S. 
White, Elmira, N. Y., and Geo. Whiston, Buffalo, E. J. 
Taylor, Waterloo, N. Y. P. W. Hudson, North Man- 
chester, Conn., makes Game-fowl-rearing a specialty. 
Col. Geo. Meacham, North Cambridge, breeds superior 
Games, and C. II. Edmonds, Melrose, Mass., will breed 
the Duck Wing Games this season, and has procured 
his stock out of prize birds. All these fanciers can 
supply first-class Game birds ; and here we leave them 
and their favorites to " fight it out, on this line," with 
the concluding remark upon this bellicose subject, that 
it it hardly surprising that the Yankee should take to 
this spunky and beautiful variety of domestic fowl, thus 
eagerly, since he so naturally inclines to the belief, 
that, with the right kind of material, fashioned within 
his own province and supervision, he can " beat all 
creation," in anything; and it is certain that the Game 
Fowl has come to be bred to a high state of perfection 
on this side of the Atlantic, where hundreds of fanciers 
of this belligerent little tribe announce themselves 
ready at all times to test their stock against competi- 
tors, with any length of gafile, for amusement, fame, 
or money. 



244 buenham's new poultry-book; 

Messrs. J. Y. Bickiiell & Co., of Westmoreland, N. Y. 
are extensive breeders of most of the popular varieties 
now extant among us, and have in late years been the 
largest contributors to the N. Y. State and other ex- 
hibitions, as well as among the leading prize-takers, for 
good specimens of their valuable and well-bred stock. 
Messrs. Bicknell & Co. enjoy a deservedly good reputa- 
tion among a numerous class of patrons, and they have 
sent out from their capacious establishment large num- 
bers of prime fowls, bred from their imported and other 
choice strains of bloods, that have given the highest 
satisfaction to their customers. Of the Asiatic fowls, 
they have some first class breeding-stock — the light 
and dark Brahmas, the Buffs, and the Partridge- 
Cochins — upon which they pride themselves. 








CHAPTER XX. 



THE BLACK SPANISH, AND GUELDRES. 



We pass by the Blalay, the Kulm^ the Bucks County, 
and the Chittagong Fowls, with a mere reference 
to the names of these old-style and formerly acknowl- 
edged "breeds — " one of these bemg claimed as the 
original Java, or gallus giganteus of early authors — 
because we have few of them around us, at present, 
and nobody seems to be interested in them ; since 
we can obtain better, finer, and more profitable varieties, 

245 



246 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

among the more modern kinds now to be had, in al- 
most any direction, in the United States and England. 
Three of the above mentioned varieties were formerly 
deemed good ones, and we have imported of one kind, 
and bred that and the other two kinds — to our entire 
content. They are all illustrated, and dilated on, in 
the poultry-books of past days ; but they are each and 
every one coarse, bony, ungainly, uneven birds, and 
could not be had in this country now, if wanted — that 
we know of, (which they are not,) and so we say no 
more about them ; but pass to the next important and 
desirable variety, in due course ; a celebrity that many 
breeders and fanciers deem very handsome, and about 
"•the thing" for either a gentleman, an amateur, or a 
farmer ; and this is the white faced Black Spanish Fowl. 
See cut No. 7. 

A few years ago, as we well remember, this showy, 
white-cheeked, proud-gaited, coal-black bird was all the 
rage, for a period. Though from being called Spanish, 
they are popularly supposed to have come from Spain, 
yet this fowl is from Holland, and is now well known in 
England and in this country, and justly estimated, gen- 
erally. It is a medium sized fowl, but lays a large white 
egg, ami in this respect is a very excellent variety. 
They are non-sitters, too. Their chickens, are raised 
without difficulty, but when fledged — like their parents 
they can " fly like eagles," and it is difficult to keep 
them in confined quarters by means of any ordinary 
height of fence surrounding their yards, for they are 
an active, restless, roaming race — and are thus objec- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 247 

tionable to one's neighbors. They are interminable 
" scratchers," and will tear up a newly-laid-down gar- 
den, faster than it can be repaired, if once they get at it, 
in earnest ! ^ 

Still, this majestic sprightly fowl has very many ad- 
mirers ; and beautiful specimens — highly bred — may 
be had of the dealers, almost everywhere now-a-days. 
An English author thus accurately describes this bird, 
of which we furnish a very good illustration in Cut 
No. 7. 

" I take the Black Spanish fowl to be a truly distinct 
variety, and everything experience can acquire of it, 
adds to its character of originality. A full grown cock 
weighs about 7 lbs., the hen about 6 lbs. ; the cock 
stands about 22 inches high, and the hen about 19 
inches ; the plumage is a -beautiful glossy black. I have 
seen some birds showing the appearance of the highest 
breeding, which have come from Spain ; the comb is ser- 
rated, and so large as to usually fall at one side, of vivid 
scarlet; wattles long ; ear-lobes white ; cheek white, but 
added to by age ; hackles black, tail splendidly plumed ; 
legs blue ; flesh and skin beautifully white and juicy ; 
is a first-rate table-fowl ; eggs white, large and abund- 
ant ; chickens grow rapidly, but feather slowly. They 
are not very pugnacious, if kept together, but if separat- 
ed, even for a day, they cease to associate quietly with 
their companions. The hens are not inclined to sit, 
which is perhaps an Irish cause of their becoming so 
abundant ; they are everlasting layers, and their eggs 
are usually hatched out by common poultry. They are 



248 



burnham's new poultry-book; 



now to be had in every quarter; indeed they are so 
splendid a bird, that I consider it a crime against do- 
mestic economy, to have a Spanish hen's time taken up 
with hatchin<^ and rearing chickens, when she might be 




adding to the stock of her own genus by her egg every 
day." 

I am not an advocate for cross-breeding of any sort, 
and shall therefore beg to remark that there are many 
spurious crosses attempted to be made on the Spanish 
fowl, which should not be encouraged. And among 
these crosses, Mr. Ch. Jacque, the scientific French aur 
thor and artist, says in his fine work on poultry, " the 
La Fleche is the tallest of the true French breeds, and 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 249 

has many points of resemblance with the Spanish, from 
which I believe it to be descended, by crossing with 
the Crevecceur^ There is a strong similarity in all 
tlirce of the French breeds to many peculiarities of the 
Spanish, though the difference in the shape of combs and 
top-knots of the others is very apparent. 

The chickens of this breed should not be attempted 
to be raised until late in spring-time, towards the warm 
weather ; for they " come into this breathing world, 
not half made up," as to their feathering ; and the 
cold or rough weather, until they get their natural coats 
on, (for four or five weeks after hatching,) retards, or 
destroys them. Like the French fowls, the Black 
Spanish are very superior table poultry. 

The Guelders, or "Breda" fowls are both clear 
black, and clear white, in plumage. Mr. Van Winkle 
of Greenville, N. J., has some very fine samples of this 
race, which enjoy the peculiar advantage of being en- 
tirely combless, and crestless. The Spanish fowls are 
' ornamented ' with tremendous combs, on the contrary, 
both the cock and hens — upon the latter, this append- 
age drooping quite down upon one side ; and, in winter 
time, it is difficult to prevent this showy summer en- 
cumbrance from getting frozen, in our northern cli- 
mate. But the Guelders have little or no combs, very 
small wattles, and the head thus presents quite a gamey 
appearance. They are said to be small eaters, as 
prolific and as hardy as the Houdans, and lay eggs 
nearly as large as the latter. An excellent fowl for 
family purposes. From all I have seen of these 



250 burnham's new poultry book ; 

Guelders, I think they are very like the " Guelderlands " 
that were formerly so popular and so plentiful in Essex 
County, though I should say they did not average so 
large a fowl as those of the present time. The " Sicily ^^^ 
bred for several years in Cohasset and vicinity, from 
imported stock, though varying from the Guelders in 
color ^ were not dissimilar to these, in other particulars — 
size, fecundity, form, small combs and wattles, hardy, 
and admirable layers. 

The few persons that have latterly tried the Guelder 
Fowl, deem them superior, and as bred by Mr. Van 
Winkle, whose other stock we have already alluded to — 
they are very fine. Mr. Van Winkle furnishes us with 
the following minute description of this bird, which he 
thinks " is sure to become, when better known, a higlily 
popular and valuable addition to the best stock in the 
United States." He say's : — 

" They are a breed of fowls very little known in Eng- 
land or America. They were first found in Holland 
and Belgium, and were called Guelderlands, after a 
province of that name in Holland, lying south of the 
Zuyder Zee." Mr. Van Winkle of Greenville, N. J., has 
kept for several years the White, Black, and Cuckoo 
varieties. He speaks of them as superior to any of 
the French Fowls, and in some respects prefers them" to 
the Houdan. 

He adds, " They are a fowl of medium size, with full 
prominent breasts, and large flowing tails. Their pecu- 
liar characteristics are in the head, which is destitute 
of either feathers, crest, or comb, which is very peculiar 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 251 

ill shape, being hollowed, or depressed, instead of pro- 
jecting, with two prominent spikes on each side of the 
back of tlic comb. To breed them to the standard, 
they should not have any comb whatever, except the 
two little spikes projecting. Cheeks and ear lobes red, 
wattles red, and in the lock very long and pendulous. 
The beak in the white ones should be of a milk-white 
color. The thighs well furnished and vulture hocked, 
and the shanks of the legs feathered to the toes — 
though not heavily. The plumage is close and compact, 
like the Game fowl ; which makes them appear in size 
much smaller than they really are, and is of pure white, 
or of pure black. There is also the Cuckoo colored. 
This last color has been successfully bred by me through 
crossing a Black Guelder Cock with a White Guelder 
Hen. The Guelders are well adapted to our cold and 
changeful climates. Not even the Asiatics are better 
able to withstand the Northern climates than are the 
Guelders. They are very hardy, and less susceptible to 
sickness than any other class of fowls, are strangers to 
Catarrhal affections, or Roupe, are small eaters and 
lay a large, smooth shelled egg, and seldom incline to 
sit. They will throughout the year lay more eggs than 
any other class of fowls, in my experience, and es- 
pecially in cold winter weather ; and their flesh is as 
delicate and as juicy as the Houdan. Mr. Tegetmeier 
thinks " it would be difficult to say which do better, tlie 
Houdan or Guelder chickens." And says " I like the 
breed so well that 1 class them next to the Houdans." 
/ class them ahead of the Houdans in egg producing and 
hardiness, and consider them equal to these in flesh.*' 




CHAPTER XXI. 

THE DOMINIQUE, LEGHORN, SPANGLED HAMBURGS, ETC. 

The fowl that is popularly known as the Dominique^ is 
undoubtedly the veritable domestic bird so pointedly 
described by the machine-rhymester as 



"The old gray hen with the yellow leg, 
That lays her master many an Qgg'i'^ 

though this variety has long been denominated a mere 
' barn-yard fowl,' for the reason that it is so com- 
monly known all over the country, either in its purity, 
or from its admixture with our native farmers' poultry. 
But we noticed in a Massachusetts agricultural paper, 
not long ago, an editorial on the merits of this breed, 
which concluded witli these expressive words : " We 
have tried most known varieties, and we incline to the 
opinion, from a goodly experience with the feathered 

252 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 253 

race, that one must go a long way to find a better fowl 
for the farmer's use, than is this same Dominique." 
There is much of truth in this plain statement. 

Dr. J. C. Bennett says of them, in his work on Poul- 
try": '' I know of no fowls that have stood the test of 
mixing, without deteriorating, better than have the 
Dominique. They are said to have come from the 
Island of Dominica, but I doubt it, and incline to the 
opinion that they took their name from being ' tenants 
at will,' of some feudal sovreignty. Why it is that such 
perfect bloods should have escaped description by poul- 
terers, I am unable to divine. It is true, they are 
rather small ; but that is the worst that can be said of 
this breed. They were introduced here by the Frencli, 
and are not a Dutch fowl." 

Mr. Pierce of Danvers, Mass., who bred these fowls 
years and years ago, as we well remember, like many 
another good breeder in old Essex County — where they 
were for a long period very plentiful, and as highly es- 
teemed — says, ''Taken all in all I believe them to be 
one of the very best breeds of fowls we have ; and I 
know of none that -changes so little by in-and-in breed- 
ing. They are first rate layers, and though they do not 
come to laying so early as do the Spanish, I think them 
far better sitters and nurses." 

The hens are not large, but lay good sized eggs, and 
a great many of tliem. As mothers none excel them. 
Their meat is excellent, and they are very handsomely 
plumed, where they are purely bred. The color is a 
mealy, regular gray, inclining to a blueish cast, when in 



254 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

fresh, full feather. Mostly, the cocks have single combs, 
but some are double combed ; and Col. Rowland of 
Chicago breeds them rose-combed. It is said that some 
have flesh-colored legs, but we have seen hundreds — 
aye, thousands of them, with the clear bright, yellow 
leg, alluded to by the poet. They are a remarkably 
handsome fowl, larger by considerable than the "' Bolton 
Grays," or Dutch " Every-day Layers," and their 
plumage (though more softly shaded) is not unlike the 
feathering of that pretty fowl. The barred feather of 
the Dominique is a peculiar formation, however, which 
always shows itself in any cross of these fowls upon 
others. As a race or breed they are distinct, and, with 
care, thousands may be produced, from the same fami- 
lies, year after year, without change in their appearance. 
They breed to a " feather " in color. 

In England they have the " Cuckoo Fowl," as they 
term it there, from the fancy some have of the resem- 
blance of their feathers to those on the cuckoo's bieast, 
and these are identical with our Dominique. But they 
are so hardy, so even, so steady in reproducing their 
like, so homelike, so motherly, so easily kept, and so 
generally liked by farmers, that they will always be 
favorites with those who are content with a medium- 
sized, good layer, and a bird that they can always count 
on — if kept by themselves — " as a sure thing," in the 
poultry line. 

Cut No. 10 gives an admirable representation of this 
popular fowl, and the engraving is beautifully executed, 
too ; showing a pair of Dominiques illustrating this 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 255 

splendid stock. We agree with the editor whom we 
briefly quoted a page or two back. " One must go a 
long way to find better fowls generally for the farmer, 
of its size, than the pure-bred Dominique." 




The Silver-Spangled Hamburg (see Cut No. 11,) is a 
very elegant bird to look at. It is sometimes called 



256 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

" Silver-penciled Dutch " too. It comes from Holland, 
originally. There is the golden spangled Hamburg, 
also ; a sub-variety of this Hamburg Fowl ; and both 
are very beautifully formed and plumed birds. They 
are comparatively small, however, though like all mi- 
nor-sized poultry, they are excellent, steady (sometimes 
called everlasting) layers. 

They are busy creatures, when abroad, the little 
spunky cocks crowing frequently, and the hens cackling 
riotously, upon laying an egg, for instance. But they 
are easily kept, small feeders, hardy, and healthy — 
though the chickens, which are for the most part raised 
under other breeds of hens, (for the Hamburgs seldom 
incline to sit) are tender, and must be bred with some 
care to bring to maturity. 

The pullets lay early, and keep right on, all winter, 
if they have good warm shelter. The cocks weigh 4 to 
5 pounds, the hens 3 1-2 to 4. They have the rose- 
comb, also. Their heads are smallish, and the female 
is a gamey looking bird. They are not pugnacious, 
however. As layers, they are first rate, though the Qgg 
is small. But they keep at it wondrously, all through 
the season, and can be kept, if they have good summer 
range, about as easily and as cheaply as so many 
pigeons. The " Silver Spangled Hamburgs," as they 
are bred by J. C. Sidell, of Englewood, N. J., portrayed 
so beautifully in Cut No. 11, are as fine as any we ever 
saw, and we have seen and handled vast numbers of 
these tasteful little creatures, in our time. We call 
this strain of Sidell's very perfect, and do not doubt 
that his stock is choice. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 257 

The Golden Spangled Hamburg is another variety of 
this breed, the color of the feathering being brilliant 
yellow and black, instead of silvery white and black, as 
in the first named. The Cock of this breed is beautiful, 
and his plumage is remarkably fine. This is sometimes 
called the Golden Pheasant, from its markings being 
similar to the wild cock-pheasant. These are rose- 
combed, too, and the carriage of this proud little fowl 
is very aristocratic, as he struts about with his pretty 
hens, in his rich coat of shining golden feathers, tipped 
and shelled and barred with their uniform lustrous 
spangles and mottling of black. The hackles are of a 
reddish coppery hue, as are the breasts and back, 
usually. Altogether, they are a magnificently plumed 
fowl, and their general characteristics are similar to 
those of the Silver-spangled, already noted. 

Several breeders of the Golden and Silver Spangled 
Hamburgs sent us communications for this chapter, 
which did not come to hand in time, however, for this 
edition. 

We were favored by one or two gentlemen who 
breed this fowl with small illustrations of their birds, 
but the cuts came to hand too late to be used, as 
we intended. The engraving on page 255, and the large 
cut of Mr. Sidell's Hamburgs will gisre the reader a 
clear idea of the plumage and character of these pretty 
fowls. They differ from the two varieties of Spangled 
Polands only in being devoid of crest or top-knot ; their 
size, form, and colors being very similar. 

Mr. E. J. Taylor, of Waterloo, N. Y., sends us some 



258 burnham's new poultry-book. 

fine drawings of the different varieties of fowls he 
breeds, which will be found hi the appropriate places. 
The Golden Ilamburgs are fully described in this chap- 
ter, by J. C. Sidell, in detail, but in regard to the above 
birds, Mr. Taylor, says " my Golden Spangled Ham- 
burghs took first premium at the exhibition held in 
New York city, December, 1870. For beauty, and as 
egg producers, they cannot be surpassed by any other 
variety of fowl. They are called by some the Dutch 
everlasting layers, and, according to my experience 
with them, are worthy the name. They are strictly 
non-sitters, small eaters, and excellent table fowl, 
although not very large." 

The Bolton Grays — a still smaller fowl, but entirely 
distinct variety — we will close this chapter with a 
brief description of. These came originally from Hol- 
land, also, and their plumage is white body-feathers, 
minutely speckled and splashed with clear black. It is 
the original " pencilled " style of plumage, of which so 
much is heard, of late. 

These are nearest like the Silver Spangled, as already 
mentioned, in general contour. But they are a smaller, 
and an entirely distinct race of fowl, well known both 
in England and the United States, as marvellously 
abundant layers of smallish eggs, and non-setters. 
They are pretty pets, the male weighing about 4 to 4 1-2 
lbs., and the hen about 3 1-2 lbs. These four varieties 
— the Dominique, the Golden and Silver Hamburg, 
and the Bolton Grays, each have many admirers ; and 
the breeder who produces the stock clean and pure, can 
always find a sale for these, at fair rates. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 259 

Of the beautiful Spangled Hamburgs as represented by cut No. 
11, Mr. J. C. Sidell, of Englewood, N. J., says: " This truly valuable 
breed commends itself to favorable consideration by possessing the im- 
portant characteristics of beauty and utility. Its origin is obscure, 
but they have been bred in the North of England a long time under 
the name of Gold and Silver "Pheasant fowls," Gold and Silver 
" Mooneys," and " Red Caps." They are not entitled to the name of 
Hamburgs, it having been given to them at Birmingham, Eng., from 
their resemblance to the "Pencilled Dutch," and they formerly bore 
the name of "Dutch e very-day-layers." The Lancashire Silver 
Mooneys have a silvery-white groimd-color, with large, round green- 
ish black spangles or moons, on the tips of the feathers. The true 
Mooney cock, generally has a hen-feathered tail, and small deaf ears, 
not pure white, but streaked with red or pink. The hackle is silvery 
white, and free from yellow tinge ; some of the cocks have full feath- 
ered tails, but they are seldom pure white, being either black, or 
white streaked with black. The hens should have pure white body- 
feathers, tipped with large round black spangles ; the hackle white, 
striped with black ; the tail silver on the outside and darker on the 
inside, tipped with black round spangles; the deaf ears are of a leaden 
color, or what is termed "opaque-white." 

The Yorkshire " Silver Pheasants," have smaller spangles, some- 
what crescent shaped ; the hackle of the cock is white, frequently has 
a yellow tinge, and is tipped with black ; the tail is white, tipped with 
black spangles in both cocks and hens ; the cock's breast is deficient 
in the spangling which is exhibited by the Mooney, being much dark- 
er ; deaf ears white, and in the hens generally brighter than in the 
Mooney hens. 

The Golden Mooneys are of a rich golden-bay color, each of the 
body -feathers having a large, round greenish black spangle on the 
end. The hackle is striped with black ; the tail is black in both sexes ; 
the upper part of the breast of the cock, is generally greenish black, 
and on the lower part, spangled with large, round moons ; the deaf 
ears small, not pendant, and not always pure white. 

The Yorkshire Pheasants are differently marked from the Mooneys ; 
the spangles being crescent shaped, somewhat of the character of 
lacing ; their deaf ears are generally pure white, and their combs are 
larger and looser. The bay-ground color is frequently mossed ; tail 
black in both sexes. In the cock, the spangles on the breast run up 



260 burnham's new poultry-book; 

the edges of the feathers, resembling a lacing, and cause the breast to 
have a streaky appearance. 

In England it is usual to exhibit Mooney hens, with cocks bred be- 
tween Mooney and Pheasant fo^vls ; this is because the Mooney cock 
is small, seldom has a pure white deaf ear, and generally has a dark 
breast. The deaf-ear is a special point in Hamburgs, and no bird 
with red ones would stand any chance of winning at an English 
Show, no matter how perfectly he might be marked. 

All Hamburgs should have rose combs, with a " peak " behind, and 
be rather square in front; it should be full of small "spikes," and 
without a hollow or depression ; this describes a perfect comb ; but it 
is frequently the case that many of the chickens of a brood (especial- 
ly the cocks) will have combs not entirely answering the description; 
sometimes there will be no depression in the centre, but no peak be- 
hind: these are termed "nub combs;" again, the hollow will be a 
glaring one, but the peak Mill be a model. A comb falling over so as 
to obstruct the sight, is a disqualifying defect. The legs should be 
blue, and any other color is not admissable. 

There is a variety of golden spangled Hamburg called Red-caps, 
which differs materially from the Mooney and Pheasant Fowls, being 
larger and not possessing such beauty and regularity of spangling. 
The cock's breast is dark, and the most striking feature of the breed 
is the remarkable development of comb, the cocks showing them 
sometimes three inches wide in front, and between four and five to 
the extremity of the peak. The hens have combs as large in propor- 
tion, which are rarely erect as is the case generally with the Mooneys 
and Pheasants. They lay larger eggs than any of the Hamburgs and 
as many of them, and are more hardy, standing the cold of our win- 
ters as well as Brahmas. 

It will be seen that no breed taxes the skill of the fancier to produce 
what are called " Exhibition birds " more than Hamburgs. Birds 
may frequently be seen with exquisitely perfect markings, perfect 
comb, and a blood-red deaf-ear; others with black breasts, but all 
other points in perfection ; others, with almost every point, but much 
below the average size, and again, single-combed birds, generally 
beautifully marked, are met with ; they may be bred from birds in 
which no possible evidence of a single comb is apparent, but it is rare- 
ly the case that many chicks of a brood will show other than rose- 
combs. There is probably no breed which will lay a greater number 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 261 

of eggs in a year than this. Each hen will produce about 225 per 
annum, which, although they are small, the aggregate weight will 
perhaps be found to exceed that of some of the larger breeds. If 
Hamburgs were bred merely for their beauty, as Pheasants are, they 
would still find plenty of admirers ; but when their extraordinary egg- 
producing qualities are taken into consideration, the question of 
profit comes into view, and with many persons the economic merits 
of a fowl are the ones to which the most value is attached. Ham- 
burgs are excellent table fowls, the flesh being tender and of fine 
flavor ; but as all the essentials have never yet been combined in one 
breed, they cannot be expected to compete with their larger and 
clumsier rivals as candidates for the spit, the stew-pan, or the gridiron. 

In breeding them they should not be hatched before the weather in 
the spring is settled, as they are not so easy to rear as Brahmas or 
Cochins. All chickens thrive better for being kept free from damp- 
ness, and Hamburgs are no exception. The eggs should be put under 
other hens, as this is classed among the non-sitting breeds, although 
occasionally a hen will show an inclination to sit and sometimes will 
hatch and rear a brood with commendable care. They are impatient 
of restraint, and should have a wide range. If it is inconvenient to 
let them be unconfined, the fence of the yard should be at least twelve 
feet high and not more than two thirds as many fowls kept in the 
same space that could be devoted to Brahmas or Cochins." 

The illustration given herewith and thus fully described by him, 
represents specimens bred by Mr. J. Clarence Sidell, of Englewood, 
N. J., who probably breeds this variety of fowls to a greater perfec- 
tion than any other fancier in this country. 

The Crested fowls — such as the Polands — are out 
of date with us, latterly. The White Leghorns^ and 
White Dorkings are bred and fancied by many. Both 
of the latter are excellent layers, and most large dealers 
can supply them. (See cut No. 12.) 

The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher is a lover of White 
Leghorns, and in a gushing spring article in a late issue 
of the N. Y. Ledger^ entitled, " Oh for the country," 
thus discourses upon chickenology. " The day is bright, 



262 burnham's new poultry-book. 

the sky has sunken back to the uttermost, and the arch 
seems wonderfully deep above your head. Little cloud- 
ships go sailing about in the heavens, as busily as if 
they carried freight to long expectant owners. It is a 
day for the country. The city palls on the jaded nerve. 
I long to hear the hens cackle. There are lively times 
now in barn and barnyard, I'll warrant you. If I were 
lying on the east verandah of a cottage that I wot of, I 
should see the white Leghorns, wind blown, shining in 
the sunlight, searching for a morsel in and out of the 
shrubbery, the cocks crowing and the hens crooning. 
The Leghorn, of true blood, leads the race of fowls for 
continuous eggs, in season and out of season ; eggs large 
enough, of fine quality and sprung from hens that never 
tliink of chickens. For a true Leghorn seldom wants 
to set. They believe in division of labor. They pro- 
vide eggs, others must hatch them. Other fowls may 
surpass them on the spit, or gridiron, but as egg-layers, 
they easily take the lead. They are hardy, handsome, 
and immensely productive. As it is just as easy to 
keep good fowls as poor ones, thrifty housekeepers 
should secure a good laying breed. Not everi/ pure 
white fowl is a Leghorn. There are many White Span- 
ish sold as Leghorns. They may be known by their 
gray or pearl-colored legs. The pure Leghorn has a 
yellow leg, a single comb, quite long, and usually lap- 
ping down. This breed is well known about New York, 
but no description of it can be found in English Poultry 
books. Indeed, we are informed that Tegetmeier, the 
standard authority, but recently knew anything about 
them, and then from a coop sent from New York. 



264 burnham's new poultry-book; 

^' The Bralimas and Cochins have good qualities. 
They are large, even huge. They are peaceable, and 
the Cochins do not scratch — an important fact to all 
who have a garden, and who desire to let their poultry 
run at large. They are good layers, admirable mothers, 
yield a fine carcass for the table, but the meat is not 
fine, though fairly good. But a more ungainly thing 
than buff Cochins the eye never saw. A flock of Leg- 
horns is a delight to the eye. One is never tired of 
watching them. Their forms are symmetrical and 
ev^ry motion is graceful. But the huge poddy Cochins 
waddle before you like over fat buffoons. They are 
grotesque, good-natured, clumsy, useful creatures, good 
layers, but with a great love of setting. Every Cochin 
hen would like to bring out two broods in a season ; 
while the white Leghorns fill their nests with eggs, and 
then think their whole duty done. We keep Cochin 
hens to set on Leghorn eggs. Better mothers cannot 
be. 

" I hear my hens cackle ! These bright spring days are 
passing, and the concert of the barnyard is in full play, 
but I am tied up to the pen. Patience ! I shall be green 
enough in a few weeks. The city shall not always 
prevail. In due season, I shall go to grass. Already I 
smell it. The odor of new grass can be perceived but 
only for a few days in spring. It should be noticed 
then, for it is unlike any other perfume, and will be per- 
ceived no more until another year. How happy are 
they that dwell among open fields ! Or how happy they 
might be, if they but knew their privileges ! " 




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GOLDEN SEBKIGHT BANTAMS. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



THE GOLDEN SEBRIGHT, AND OTHER BANTAMS. 



" Proud of his plumage and his spurs, 



The feathered coxcomb struts, gallant and blithe 
As any beardless cornet of dragoons ! " 



This exquisite diminutive representative of a distinct 
breed of the domesticated feathered tribe, takes ac- 
knowledged precedence over all the small fowl, denomi- 
nated Bantams. The Sebrights are said to have had their 
oi'igin in India — Sir John Sebrioht, the M. P. for Herts 
England, having, it is stated, brought this beautiful 
variety out with him from that country, some years 
ago. Among the sales that were made at auction at an 
early Poultry Show in London, it is recorded that Sir 
John run the price of one of these small hens of his up 

265 



266 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

to 29£. sterling ($145) and bought her in at that figure, 
rather than part with her ! And the London News 
announces, in February 1847, that two hens and a cock 
of this petite variety sold for 50X. Is. or rising $250! 
These, and similar prices, were paid in England — not 
by Yankees, however. 

Specimens were introduced into this country from 
Great Britian twenty-odd years since, and they came at 
once to be a great favorite. Formerly we had the little 
yellow Nankin, the red Game, the pure white Pantelet, 
or falcon-hocked, and the mottled Bantams. But all 
were much larger than the Sebright, and far more 
irregular in color. Subsequently we had the ' Black 
Spanish ' Bantam, see page 245, very small and beauti- 
ful, with white cheek and high thin comb. Then we 
had the Silver Sebright, (just like the Golden, in mark- 
ings) but the finest of all this diminutive race, ever 
seen in this country. They have been bred but rarely 
here — for they have been found very delicate, while 
chickens, and troublesome to bring to maturity. Still, 
there are some breeders who take pains with them, 
and succeed in producing beautiful specimens of these 
gallant, proud, important pigmies of the feathered race. 

The Bantams should have no tuft, and some of the 
Sebrights have single combs, which is a blemish, the 
highest bred birds requiring the full rose-comb ; hen- 
tailed — that is, devoid of the long sickle-feathers of the 
old-style — wings well down in the flanks, and droop- 
ing, with perfectly clean delicate dark-skinned legs. 
Both the flesh and flavor of their meat is fine, but they 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 267 

are so small that this furnishes but a tit-bit, in that 
particular : and they are bred only for fancy, as a rule. 
They are abundant layers of small white eggs. The 
black-breasted red, if trimmed of his comb and wattles, 
is a perfect miniature representative of the Game cock, 
and in his way, quite as spunky. 




ItED GAME-BANTAM. 



This is the nearest approach to the Bankiva Cock, or 
wild cock of Java ; and so like it, in some individuals, 
as to be difficult to distinguish them. The black variety, 
called " Black Spanish " Bantam in this country, from 
its perfect resemblance to that fowl, has all the pugnaci- 
ty of its congeners. The whole of the clean-legged 
tribe are recommended as good mothers. The Nankins 
are those in use at the great aviary of the Earl of 
Derby, for hatching out the various sorts of Quail, Par- 
tridge, and Pheasants, to which Mr. Thomson has 
added Cantelo's Incubator; and few in Great Britain, 
can boast of so much success or experience, as that 
experienced ornithologist. The white are precisely the 
same as the others, only different in color. James 
Walters, of Windsor, gives a rather unflattering account 



268 burnham's new poultry-book; 

of their destroying their eggs ; others have kept them, 
and never discovered this fault. 

The Booted, Pantelet, or Feather-legged Bantam, 
should not escape notice. They are of all colors ; those 
with the greatest quantity of feathers on the legs, are 
usually spotted, red, black, and white. Some have 
feathers three inches long on their legs, so as to impede 
their walking. These are becoming scarce, and even 
promise to become extinct ; the objection, of the fan- 
ciers, is, that their leg feathers getting damp, is apt to 
addle the eggs put under them for incubation. They, 
however, have their advantages, as they seldom do an 
injury by scratching, and are frequently kept as orna- 
mental pets about a garden, which is all that any of 
these pigmy birds are good for, of any variety. 

The " Sebpjghts " have deservedly taken the lead 
among this tribe, altogether. Some fancy the Silver, 
but most American breeders raise only the Golden 
Sebrights, see cut No. 13. G. H. Warner of N. Y. 
Mills, has this variety in great perfection. Edwin N. 
E-ice, Clinton, Mass., has produced some fine Game, 
and Sebright Bantams. Geo. Smith, Holliston, Mass., 
also, of the latter — very handsome birds. Ezra Dib- 
ble, New Haven, Ct., breeds the White Bantams, said to 
be very perfect, and among the smallest in the world. 
E. J. Taylor Bros., of Waterloo, N. Y. breed the Se- 
brights, finely. Thos. Gould, Aurora, N. Y., and E. P. 
Howlett, Syracuse, also supply these of both varieties. 
The Sebright portraits which head this chapter, are 
truthful likenesses of prize birds, which took the first 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 269 

premium at the New York State Show, in 1869 and '70. 
G. W. Felter, Batavia, Ohio, breeds the Golden Sebright, 
as does also J. E. French, Abington, Mass, and some 
others, whose address has not reached us. 

As we remarked above, the Bankiva fowl (the wild 
Cock of India) so closely resembles what we call the 
common black-breasted Red Bantam, that it is believed 
by ornithologists that this bird is the original progenitor 
of the Bantam race — if not of most of our domestic 
fowl. The eyes and throat of the Bankiva are bare of 
plumage ; the comb large, of irregular shape ; two 
wattles hang from the lower mandible ; the head, back, 
and sides of the neck, surrounding the bare skin upon 
the throat and the rump, are covered with long, 
rounded feathers, of a clear and brilliant golden 
orange. Below the hackles, the upper part of the back 
is bluish-black, and the centre of a rich, deep chestnut. 
The greater coverts are steel-blue, with a broad margin 
of chestnut ; the quills brownish black, edged with 
reddish yellow. The hen is of a dusky gray, and 
resembles our common poultry more than any other 
wild variety ; they inhabit the forests of India, and 
from them it is thought that the common barnyard 
varieties, so generally disseminated all over the western 
world, came direct, originally ; as they frequently even 
now mix with and cross the tame birds on the borders, 
though they are never themselves domesticated. 

The Sebrights will always remain a favorite pet fowl, 
from their rare beauty of plumage, and uniformity in 
breeding, when properly cared for. They command 



270 burnham's new poultry-book. 

good prices everywhere, at this time, and a clutch of 
these exquisite little birds is certainly ornamental, 
together. But the males should not be allowed to run 
loosely among other breeds of fowl, if the fancier 
wishes to keep his breeding stock pure. They will 
readily cross any other fowl — large or small. 




CHAPTER XXIII. 

MANY MEN HAVE MANY MINDS. 

Fortunately for the furtherance of the general ob- 
jects of poultry breeders, as well as for the purposes of 
the Societies fostered through their good intentions, the 
many men engaged in this and other countries in fowl- 
raising, have many different minds as to the intrinsic 
merits and value of the varieties of domestic birds now 
current among us ; and, while the mass of American 
breeders are inclined to favor some strain or color of 
the great Asiatic fowl, others make a speciality of 
raising the diminutive Bantams only, and will have no 
other upon their grounds — while there are not a few 
enthusiastic admirers of fancy pigeons^ simply ; a por- 
trait of one exquisite variety of which, from the " White 
Calcutta Fan-tail " stock of Messrs. Bestor and Colt, of 
Hartford, Conn., heads this chapter, and a most extra- 
ordinary fine specimen it is, too. 

271 



272 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

Then there be those whose favorites are the White 
Dorkings, White Leghorns, and White Aylesburys, for 
ducks. Dr. Eben Wight, of Dedham, Mass, an old 
and experienced poulterer, was an ardent fancier of 
this white plumed style of birds, and bred them many 
years, to a great degree of perfection. The beautiful 
aristocratic Black Spanish are deemed by thousands of 
amateurs, and gentlemen of nice taste, to be the only 
domestic fowl fit for a genteel estate. They are inter- 
minable layers, and are deservedly a favorite in many 
quarters. The Dominiques are considered by hundreds 
of farmers and country breeders as the only right thing 
for their use. 

Within the past few years, the showy but moderate- 
sized French fowls — the Houdans, Crevecoeurs and La 
Fleche — have come into very considerable notoriety 
amoi^ us, and these birds are now being bred in various 
parts of this country with zeal and admiration by those 
who favor novelty in poultry raising. The majority of 
those who have carefully experimented with this class, 
pronounce favorably upon their good traits, very decid- 
edly ; inasmuch as they have proved grQat layers, non- 
sitters, and easy keepers, while for the table, their meat 
is certainly unexceptionable. All these promising qual- 
ities are in their favor, and it is not surprising that these 
should have their friends, largely, among those who 
breed for the general improvement of poultry around us. 

Then we have a number of fanciers who import and 
breed with cautious nicety the sprightly and beautiful 
Game fowl — of which there are numerous varieties — 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 273 

as the Shawl-Game, the Grays, the Black-breasted Reds, 
the White Georgians, the Earl of Derby strains, the 
magnificent silver and golden Duck-wings, the Red and 
smoky-duns, the Spangled, the Piles, the Mealy-Grays, 
the Ginger-reds, etc., which are favorites not merely 
for their good fighting quality, but that the hens are the 
best of mothers and the steadiest of sitters — and their 
meat is unrivalled, at almost any age, young or old. 
Referring to the French fowls once more, briefly, hav- 
ing expressed our own personal opinion in regard to 
that tribe, we very willingly state that some of the lead- 
ing New York, Philadelphia, and Western fanciers who 
have given them a fair trial, speak very decidedly in 
their favor — for some reasons — and write us earnest- 
ly regarding their good character. Mr. Van Winkle, 
of Greenville, N. Y., who has bred all three of the vari- 
eties, informs me that his Crevecoeurs are large birds, 
and since he has had them he has carefully studied 
their characteristics and tested their performances. 
He finds them excellent layers of large sized eggs, and 
a goodly number of them. They lay in the fall months, 
he adds, when other fowls are moulting. Their meat 
is as fine as that of a capon, and he deems them a su- 
perior bird — from their strong blood — to cross upon 
other fowl, for general use. In Mr. Van W.'s opinion, 
the Houdan is one of the choicest breeds of foreign fowl 
that has been brought into America for many years, on 
account of its extraordinary fertility, its early maturing, 
and the general hardiness, in his experience with them, 
of both the adults and young birds. These, he says, 



274 burnham's new poultry book ; 

" are compact in form, their meat is rich and 'white, 
they are admirable layers, and are the most valuable 
fowl we have, in my experience." 

But among the great multitude of buyers, at this time, 
the Chinese fowl — as either the Brahma, the Buff, or 
Partridge Cochin, and the Red, White or Black Cochin 
— are far in excess in general demand, over all other 
varieties, taken together. The uniformity of great size 
attained by this race ; the truthfulness with which they 
breed year after year ; the greater iveight of eggs they 
yield in a season ; the quiet disposition of these birds ; 
the ease with which they are kept and managed, either 
at large or in confinement ; their thorough hardiness, 
even amidst our coldest winters : their fine plumage and 
stately appearance, when in good trim and well provid- 
ed for; their unchanging characteristics from genera- 
tion to generation ; and their general uniform good qual- 
ities both as layers and breeders, render them beyond 
comparison the most desirable and the most salable 
domestic fowl we have ever had in America. And they 
are to-day more popular, more largely sought after, 
more extensively bred, and more deserving for either the 
fancier or farmer's use, in view of all their striking 
qualities of excellence — than any variety we ever shall 
have, (in our judgment,) in the United States. This 
may seem over-partial ; but it is our confirmed opinion. 

Another gentleman in Massachusetts, who has tried 
the French strains, commends them to us highly. He 
writes : " I have had all three of the varieties, and 
have bred them two years now, with fair success and 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 275 

good satisfaction. They are unique in form and 
plumage, handsome birds upon the green, the best of 
layers, but do not care to sit often, and they are fair in 
size : not a large fowl, but averaging like the Black 
Spanish. I have found the French fowls very good 
layers, I must say, and I am much pleased with them, 
so far." 

A friend in Rhode Island informs me, per contra, that 
he bought a few of them, and gave them a trial. " I 
was so greatly taken with their pretty odd appearance, 
when I saw them in New York," he writes, " that I 
purchased a few, and took them home. You know how 
I breed my fowls. I gave them a good chance, and 
hoped to do nicely with them. But I did not succeed. 
In my experience with them, the chicks are tender, and 
do not come up well. The hens are fair layers, cer- 
tainly, and the cocks are stately proud fellows ; but I 
would not give a trio of good Light Brahmas for three 
trios of the French-men. I have seen worse fowls, but 
I have seen many better ones." We have received 
several other letters upon this same subject, for which 
we cannot find space, however. The amount of com- 
ment to hand we think is decidedly in favor of this 
fowl, however; yet we incline to the opinion that breed- 
ers do not know sufficient of the French birds as yet, in 
this country, to give an opinion as to what they may 
prove here, by and bye. They unquestionably possess 
some rare good qualities, and we wait to see how they 
may turn out, hereafter. 

The Gueldres or "Breda" fowl described by Mr. 



276 burnham's new poultry-book; 

Van Winkle, of Greenville, N. J., is a superior variety. 
The Silver and Gold-spangled Hamburgs, accurately 
delineated by cut No. 11, and so well depicted by J. 
Clarence Sidell, in Chapter XXI, are another favorite 
race with many fowl-fanciers, and not without good 
reasons, too. In their showy and parti-colored plum- 
age, the Spangled Hamburg rivals the pheasant, and is 
called in England, oftentimes, the Hamburg, or Pheas- 
ant fowl. The same colored fowls, with the heavy 
crest and muff, (of the " Poland " variety,) were 
largely bred in America some years since, and, with the 
exception of their tufts, were almost exactly like this 
superb Hamburg variety. Fine samples came here 
years ago, from the yards of Prince Albert, as a present 
to Hon. Daniel Webster, among the first received in 
America, if I remember rightly. A portion of these 
fowls were afterwards sent by Mr. Webster to Col. 
Jaques, of Tenhills Farm, Medford, to breed; and the 
Colonel turned out, for a few years, the finest birds of 
this then taking variety that ever were produced in 
Massachusetts. These crested fowls — the Black, the 
Golden, and the Silver-laced are all good layers. Bos- 
well states that " the whole crested breed are much 
esteemed by the curious, and reared with care." And 
Buffon says, " There can be little doubt that all the 
fowls with crests have originated from intercrossing 
with the Paduan or Polish." It was from the crested 
variety of fowls that Mowbray stated he " obtained 
from five hens in eleven months, five hundred and tln*ee 
eggs ; weighing, on an average, one ounce and five 
drachms, exclusive of the shells." 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 277 




DR. BENNETT'S " INDIAN GAMES." 



The above are likenesses of a pair of Dr. J. C. Ben- 
nett's so denominated " Wild Indian Game " birds ; a 
fowl he produced several years ago, from a cross of 
tlie Irish game cock with a very gamey hen he procured, 
I think, from Calcutta. The progeny were very unique 
and remarkable birds, and proved quite popular for a 
time, among the fanciers of this species of fowl. I have 
heard nothing of them of late years, and take it for 
granted that this so-called " breed " did not hold out. 
We here reproduce the original drawing of the first 
Bramapooters " exhibited and thus named by Dr. 



(( 



278 



burnham's new poultry-book; 




PORTRAITS OF DR. BENNETT'S THREE ORIGINAL *' BRAMAPOOTER8." 

Bennett in 1851, at the Boston Fowl Show. The sliolit 
top-knots we have alhided to, will be found at the back 
of the heads of these birds ; and the portraits are faith- 
ful, though drawn on a small scale. In otlier respects 
it will be observed that the figures very nearly resemble 
the liglit Brahmas of to-day. But this trio were bred 
(as we know) precisely as has already been stated in 
the pages of this work. 

There are still a few other named varieties, that here 
and there find a casual admirer ; but beyond those enu- 
merated in these pages, there are none that are now bred 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 279 

to any extent. The "Silky" fowl, the " Rumpless," 
tlie " Creeper," the *' Frizzled," and a few others, are 
little known and less cared for among fanciers general- 
ly, at the present time. Of the varieties we have noted, 
a good selection can be made of large or small domestic 
birds. And these may be had in almost any county in 
the United States, now-a-days, of those whose taste and 
inclination prompt them to raise one or another of these 
various breeds. 

Tliere are certain technical te7'ms applied to fowls, not 
universally understood, which we will here briefly ex- 
plain. The " neck-hackles " are the pendant feathers 
around the neck. " Saddle-feathers," or " back-hackles " 
are those upon the back, falling down over the flanks. 
" Wing-coverts " are the feathers upon the upper and 
middle parts of the wings. '' Flight-feathers," the 
long end plumes of wings. " Sickle-feathers " are the 
longest drooping sickle-shaped })lumes in the cock's 
tail. " Broody " is the inclination to sit. " Crest " is 
the same as "top-knot," or "head-tuft." "Fluff"," 
or " fluffy plumage, " is the term for the soft cushiony 
featherino- on the sides and stern of the Cochins. 
" Moult " is the annual shedding of the feathers. 
" Rose-comb " is a full wide oblong comb, peculiar to 
the best bred Sebright Bantams, the Dominique, Ham- 
burg, or White Leghorn fowl. " Pea-comb " is a small 
compact trij^le comb, seen on the Malay, and contended 
for by most breeders now as requisite to perfection in 
the hens of the dark or light Brahma. It is a central 
comb, with a smaller one on each side, upright. " Ser- 



280 burnham's new poultry-book; 

rated comb " is the straight thin upright comb, with the 
rising projections like notches or the teeth of a coarse 
saw. " Vulture-hock " is applied to the form of feathers 
that droop and grow backward on the thigh, below the 
hock joints of fowl — as on the Pantalct-bantams, the 
Ptarmigans, etc. " Carunculated " represents the un- 
even warty exterior flesh upon a cock-turkey's head 
and neck, and that upon the Muscovy drake's, also. 

We have said little on the subject of fowl-diseases, 
for the reason that in our own practice we have con- 
stantly aimed at prevention, rather than attempted to 
cure a sick bird. The latter course is attended, ordi- 
narily, with more trouble than the fowl is worth ; but it 
is easier to prevent sickness occurring, to any great ex- 
tent, among poultry — and I have in this volume ad- 
vised such measures as to their food, care, shelter, and 
general management, as will usually keep fowls in 
high health. Still, they will sometimes get ill, and it 
not infrequently occurs that a favorite bird may be 
saved from death, through doctoring. 

Gapes among fowls w^ill spread, astonishingly, and 
roup will be readily communicated from one to another, 
more especially when your poultry is kept in confine- 
ment, or in limited quarters. Swelled crop is another 
troublesome complaint to which fowls are subject, oc- 
casionally. Colds are very common, too. A cure for 
gapes, if adopted when first discovered, is a teaspoonful 
dose of common sweet oil, given two or three days in 
succession ; the oil destroys and removes the little gape- 
worms from the gullet. Another good remedy is to 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 281 

place ordinary whole grains of wheat in a phial, and 
pour upon them sufficient kerosene to cover them in the 
bottle. The grain will in twenty-four hours absorb the 
oil. Give one of these wheat-grains' daily, three days, 
(at night and morning) to your gapey chickens, and it 
will kill the worms in their throats. In cases of roup, 
castor oil and alum is very good, for internal affection, 
and the latter, in solution for washing the head and nos- 
trils of such affected bird. Cholera (as it has been called) 
in fowls has been very destructive in Pennsylvania, the 
past year. Mr. G. A. Deitz, of Chambersburgh, says, 
" this fearful disease among fowls has swept some yards 
of every fowl in many parts of the State, and 1 have 
heard of none, as yet, or found as good a remedy as cas- 
tor oil and alum. One or two doses of castor oil, say a 
tablespoonful at a time, will generally cure the fowl ; 
and, at the same time, place alum water where the fowl 
can drink it. With it I have cured the worst cases of 
cholera, and found it also a good remedy for cold, or 
light cases of roup ; as this mild remedy seems to put 
the whole system of the fowl in a healthful condition." 
An excellent preventive to disease, is placing of 
a bit of common assafoedita at the bottom of the water- 
vessels, for poultry. Colds contracted from long ex- 
posure to bad weather, will break down many a good 
bird. But vermin permitted in your fowl houses, is 
w^orse than all else. Never suffer a drooping or sick 
bird to remain with the well ones an hour, after you dis- 
cover the fact. Remove it ; nurse it, (if you are inclin- 
ed for any reason,) and save, or restore it, if possible. 



282 burnham's new poultry-book; 

But I accept a " short shrift " with such subjects, as I 
have already stated. If they don't come round quickly, 
my rule is to relieve them from their troubles, and give 
them decent burial. And this kind of ' happy despatch ' 
does not occur often, on my premises. 

Every housewife thinks she knows how to cook eggs 
appropriately. If any one has not tried the following 
plan, we can commend it as a very good one. Have 
your eggs for cooking, fresh, though these require a little 
more time to boil. To render them soft, delicate, and 
highly palateable, drop them into the water not until it 
boils. Leave them from three to four minutes, boiling 
vigorously, and eat from the shell, with an egg-spoon. 
If you wish them for salad, boil them as above, ten 
minutes. Then immerse them in cold water, and roll 
them gently upon a table or board, and the shells can be 
quickly and easily removed. 

As to fancy pigeons, we have no space in this volume 
to devote to this interesting class of beautiful birds, 
which are so widely bred and so greatly admired, in cer- 
tain quarters. We have placed at the commencement 
of this rather desultory chapter, however, a remarkably 
effective drawing of perhaps the most unique and most 
generally esteemed variety of this tribe, the White Cal- 
cutta Fan-Tail — as bred by S. J. Bestor, of Hartford, 
Conn, and which particular strain of this favorite blood 
is pronounced by judges to be par excellence, the most 
perfect as well as the finest that has ever been seen in 
this country. Their purity of plumage, extraordinary 
carriage, elegance of shape, and unusual size commend 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



283 



them very markedly ; and those who have seen them 
^ have aptly described these Fan-Tails to be more like 
miniature swans, in their graceful and proud move- 
ments, than like anything of the pigeon species. 

We have made but brief allusion to the Ptarmigan, 
the Paduan, the Jungle, the Russian, the Javas, and one 
or two other wild varieties of fowl, about which we know 
so little that is of general interest — because we do not 
deem it essential in this work to repeat the speculations 
of ornithologists who have studied the early history and 
genealogy of these birds — but no two of whom agree in 
their accounts of these fowls ; a matter at this day of 
very little consequence, however. 





MALE WILD TURKEY. 



CHAPTER XXIY. 



THE AMERICAN WILD TURKEY. 



The Turkey is an American ' institution,' as every- 
body knows, and the enormous number of these birds 
that are annually devoured in the United States is al- 
most incredible. We devote a couple of chapters to this 
splendid representative of the feathered race, gathering 
our accounts and directions as to its history, feeding, 
hatching, rearing, etc., from the best authorities extant, 
having had little personal experience with this fowl, ex- 

284 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 285 

cept in the way of eating it ; at which performance, we 
have in our time been blessed with the opportunities to 
do our share, perhaps, first and last. 

This bird is a native of the wilds of North America, 
and for excellence, in its domesticated state, stands at 
the top round of the roost, as head representative of the 
farm yard feathered tribe. The ^vild turkey is found 
all over this country, north, west and south — in greater 
or less profusion. Its plumage is close, brilliant, and 
of a metallic lustrous hue of bronze — formed of glossy 
chestnut, green, black and brown. The feathering of the 
male is the most showily brilliant ; that of the female 
being dull, comparatively, and monotonous. 

All authorities aver that the wild cock-turkey averages 
larger than the domestic bird — some specimens having 
been found to reach fifty pounds' weight, when secured 
in their native forests ; and *' its great size and beauty," 
says Audubon, " and its value as a delicate and justly- 
prized article of food, render it the most interesting of 
the birds indigenous to the United States of America. 
The flesh is even more delicate than that of the domes- 
tic Turkey, and the Indians so value it that they call it 
" the white man's dish." 

Other authorities describe the wild male when fully 
grown to be " nearly four feet in lengtli, and more than 
five in extent of wings. The bill is short and robust. 
The head, which is small in proportion to the body, and 
half the neck, are covered by a naked bluish corrugated 
skin, on which are a number of red, wart-like elevations 
on the superior portions, and whitish ones on the inferi- 



286 burnham's new poultry-book; 

or; interspersed with a few scattered bristly hairs, and 
small feathers which are still less numerous on the neck. 
The naked skin extends farther downwards on the sur- 
face of the neck, where it is flaccid and membranous, 
forming an undulating appendage, on the lower part of 
which are cavernous elevations, or wattles ; a wrinkled, 
fleshy, extensible carbuncle, hairy and pencellated at 
tip, arises from the bill at its junction with the forehead. 
When the bird is quiescent, this process is not much 
more than an inch and a half long. But when excited 
by love or rage, it becomes lengthened, so as to cover 
the bill, and fall over it. The body is thick, somewhat 
long, truncated feathers, dusky beneath, but to this 
dusky portion succeeds a broad, effulgent, metallic band, 
changing now to copper-color or bronze gold, then to 
violet or purple, according to the incidence of light. 
The lower portion of the back, and the upper part of 
the rump, ai'e much darker, with less brilliant gold re- 
flections. The upper tail coverts are of a bright bay 
color, with numerous narrow bands of shining greenish. 
The under tail coverts are blackish, glossed with cop- 
pery towards the tip, and at the tip are bright bay. 

" The wings are concave and rounded, hardly passing 
the origin of the tail. The smaller and middling wing 
coverts are colored like the feathers of the body. The 
spurious wing is plain blackish, banded with white. 
The secondaries have the white portion so large that 
they may be described as white banded with blackish, 
and are, moreover, tinged with yellow. The tail meas- 
ures more than a foot and a quarter ; is rounded and 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 287 

composed of eighteen wide feathers. It is capable of 
being elevated so as to resemble a fan, when the bird 
parades, struts, or wheels. 

" The wild turkeys do not confine themselves to any- 
particular kind of food. They eat maize, all sorts of 
berries, fruit, grasses, beetles, and even tadpoles, young 
frogs, etc., their more general predilection is for the 
acorn, on which they rapidly fatten. The males, usual- 
ly termed gobblers^ associate in parties, numbering from 
ten to a hundred, and seek their food apart from the fe- 
males ; whilst the latter either move about, singly or 
with their young till nearly two thirds grown, some- 
times consisting of 70 or 80, all intent on avoiding the 
old males, who, whenever opportunity offers, attack and 
destroy tlie young, by blows on their skulls. 

" Early in March they pair, and in April the female 
makes her nest in the ground, of dry leaves and twigs, 
and into this receptacle the eggs are deposited, some- 
times to the number of twenty, but more usually from 
nine to fifteen. They are whitish, spotted with reddish- 
brown, like those of the domestic bird. Their manner 
of building, number of eggs, period of incubation, etc., 
appear to correspond throughout the Union. 

" The wild hen-turkey is not easily driven from her 
nest by the approach of apparent danger. But if an en- 
emy appears, she crouches low and suffers it to pass. 
A circumstance related by Mr. Audubon, will show how 
much intelligence they display on such occasions. Hav- 
ing discovered a sitting hen, he remarked that by as- 
suming a careless air, or talking to himself, he was per- 



288 burnham's new poultry-book. 




THE FEMALE WILD TURKEY. 



mitted to pass within six feet of her ; but if he advanced 
cautiously, she would not suffer him to come within 
twenty paces, but ran off thirty yards, with her tail ex- 
panded, when she paused, on every step, occasionally 
uttering a chuck. They seldom abandon their nests, on 
account of being discovered by man ; but should a snake, 
or other animal suck one of the eggs, the parent leaves 
them altogether. If the eggs be removed, she again 
seeks the male, and recommences laying. The mother 
will not forsake her eggs when near hatching, while life 
remains. She will suffer an enclosure to be made 
around, and imprison her, rather than abandon her 
charge. Mr. Audubon witnessed the hatching of a 
brood, while thus endeavoring to secure the young and 
mother. 

" In proportion to the abundance or scarcity of food, 




Ho. 14 THE MAMMOTH BRONZE TURKEY. 

I>re<I by O. H. XV:irner, ^Vin. Simpson, Jr. Jos. M. Wade, O. W. Felter, 
E. J. Taylor, and otliers. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 289 

and its good or bad quality, they are small or large, 
meagre or fat, and of an excellent or indifferent flavor; 
in general, however, their flesh is more delicate and bet- 
ter tasted than that of the tame turkey. They are in 
the best order late in autumn, or in the beginning of 
winter. A gentleman residing in Westchester County, 
New York, a few years since procured a young female 
wild turkey, in order to make the experiment of crossing 
the breed ; but, owing to some circumstances, it did not 
succeed, and in the ensuing spring, this female disap- 
peared ; in the following autumn she returned, followed 
by a large brood ; these were quite shy, but were secur- 
ed in a coop, and the mother allowed her liberty ; she 
remained on the farm until the succeeding spring, when 
she again disappeared, and returned in the autumn, with 
another brood. This course she has repeated for sever- 
al successive years." 

The domesticated turkey's habits and needs are of 
more consequence, in our treatise, however, and the 
above accounts are given because they possess extraor- 
dinary interest, from reliable authority, as to this bird, 
in its wild state. 




CHAPTER XXY. 

REARING THE DOMESTIC TURKEY. 

Six or eight hens are sufficient to assign to one male 
turkey, though twice that number are bred to a male, 
often. The hens lay, ordinarily, a couple dozen of eggs, 
before they incline to sit — which they evince by steal- 
ing away from the rest, and seeking a nest out of sight, 
in the nearest woods, if there be any, or in any out of 
the way secluded place. 

When ready to sit, she will cover twelve to fifteen 
eggs, advantageously ; but she needs to be watched, lest 
she lay these eggs beforehand, secretly, abroad. She 
sits persistently, after she commences, and from twenty- 
nine to thirty-one days. She should be undisturbed, for 
the domesticated turkey is shy and timid. The male 
should be removed from her, as he inclines to break 
up the nest, and destroy the eggs, if he is permitted to 
be about. When the chicks are hatched, the hen tur- 
key proves a good careful attentive mother, but delights 
in wandering away with her new brood, at the earliest 
opportunity, when permitted to do so. 

Take the young chicks from the nest, give them no 
food for six or eight hours, then feed them on hard 
290 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 291 

boiled eggs, chopped fine, and bread crumbs, at first. 
It is best to house both mother and young for a few 
weeks, unless the weather is dry and fine. Their 
second food may be mush, cooked, of barley or oat- 
meal ; and feed often, four or five times a day, daily. 
Finely cut up liver, or meat soups is good to mix with 
their second feeding. They should be kept clean, while 
in confinement, and a layer of fine, dry gravel, or sand, 
left for them, with a fresh tuft of short, sweet grass. 
When the chicks are three or four weeks old, coop the 
hen abroad for a couple of hours, daily, in fine weather, 
with a moderate sun. When six weeks old, coop out 
of doors, daily, for a fortnight, that the chicks may ob- 
tain strength before the hen is set at large. When 
half grown, and well feathered, they become sufficiently 
hardy, and, in a good range, will provide themselves 
throughout the day, requiring only to be fed at their 
out-letting in the morning, and on their return at 
evening. If confined to the poultry-yard, their food 
and treatment are similar to the common cock and hen. 
Turkeys would prefer roosting abroad, upon high trees, 
in the summer season, could it be permitted. 

Breeders complain of the difficulty of rearing turkeys. 
That can be obviated, by keeping the chicks dry ; they 
will not bear to be draggled through the ditches and 
wet grass, or subject to the rain ; and after shooting 
what is called the recZ, (which, at a certain age, be- 
comes the color of the head,) they become hardy, and 
evince a desire to perch in the open air — which should 
not be allowed, till they are two or three months old. 



292 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

Open sheds are consequently best suited to them, with 
roosting-bars, fixed as high as convenient from the 
ground. 

If you can take the chicks from any one of your hens, 
and add them to another clutch, the hen from which 
you take them will speedily begin to lay, and have a 
second clutch about July. They evince their wild pro- 
pensity, if in the neighborhood of a wood ; they will 
stray away and procure their food, at all seasons of the 
year. A turkey loses a third of its weight when ready 
for the spit. Live weight, 21 lbs ; dead weight, 14 
lbs. Turkeys are said to be difficult to rear, but with 
due care and attention, which, rightly considered, in all 
things, give the least trouble, they may be produced and 
multiplied with no loss ; and the same may be averred, 
with all truth, of the rest of our domestic fowl ; the 
losses and vexations annually deplored, arising almost 
entirely from ignorance and carelessness. Turkeys, 
under a judicious system, may be rendered an object of 
a certain degree of consequence to the farmer. 

In Ehode Island and Connecticut, large numbers of 
domestic turkeys are kept, and annually raised for 
market, as well as in the north and at the eastward. 
In the cold season, particularly, they come into market 
plentifully ; though, as an article of food, they are con- 
tinually in use, in all our cities and large towns, 
throughout the year, both at the hotels and eating- 
houses, as well as for private family use. The turkey 
does not come to its full size until the fifth or sixth 
year, or not perfect plumage until the seventh. It has 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 293 

been ascertained beyond a doubt, that a single service 
of the cock is sufficient for the whole season, but there 
may be cases in which it has been unsuccessful. 

The male turkey (see cut No. 14) should be of the 
largest size procurable, for breeding purposes. He does 
not attain his vigorous growth until the third or fourth 
year of his age, and a cock two or three years old is 
much better than a yearling, for your breeding hens. It 
is best to change your male bird every season, by which 
means stronger chicks are had, and your two year old 
hens (and upwards) will be found best also. Keep 
them up well, with good feeding during the winter. Not 
to fatten them, but to have them in finer breeding order 
in the spring. If set early (in April) the young ones 
have more time to grow, prior to Thanksgiving and 
Christmas, when the demand and price obtained for 
good poultry is greatest. 

They love freedom, and will roost on the fences, rails, 
or in the trees, in preference to any sheltered place, 
even in the cold seasons. In very hard weather, in 
winter, they may be advantageously protected. But they 
are fond of out-of-door life, and suffer little from ex- 
posure, apparently. 

The hen is a good sitter, and she will usually hatch 
out all, or most of the eggs under her. Her nest may 
be given her in a sheltered place, where she will not be 
likely to be disturbed by other birds, or night vermin. 
If they have a neighboring wood to range in, when the 
chicks are old enough to be trusted with the mother 
abroad, they will do nicely, with little daily feeding, 



294 burnham's new poultry-book; 

otherwise. In the fall, feed them twice a day, with 
dry corn, and boiled roots and potatoes — with cooked 
Indian meal, which is excellent for their growth and en- 
largement. 

In most places where turkeys are raised, the farm is 
large, and they have ample " scope and verge enough " 
to roam, at will. In confinement, from the outset, 
turkies could not be raised, at all satisfactorily ; and it 
would cost far more than they would ever come to. 
The farmers, however, who make a business of this, in 
the interior, are satisfied with their returns, it is to be 
presumed, inasmuch as they continue to follow up the 
business, year after year ; and the demand for this un- 
rivalled kind of domestic poultry increases annually. 
Yery good prices have ruled of late years, in the prin- 
cipal markets, and the raising of turkeys probably pays. 

The broody hen-turkey shows her desire to sit by 
clucking somewhat like the common hen, and remains 
in her nest until her breast-feathers come out freely. 
When she has hatched her eggs and the chicks have 
been taken care of, as they must be for five or six 
weeks, at first, heed should tlien be taken that, for at 
least as long again, the young are kept both dry^ and 
out of the hot sun, too. Either wet exposure or undue 
heat will injure or destroy them. In their wild state 
they are reared in the forests, mainly, where it isn't wet, 
and where the hot sun does not reach them. And a 
hilly farm, with woods for ranging grounds, is the best 
location for the purpose of raising turkies upon. 

The Frenchman loves his wine, and all classes, down 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 295 

to the poorest peasant, use it as a beverage. They think 
tlie turkey loves it, therefore ; and so they advise mix- 
ing the food of the young chicks with wine. Bread 
soaked in wine they advise, at first. Our people haven't 
this article so handy, and so substitute sour milk with 
the young chicks' food. Indian meal should never be 
given them without cooking, and not at all until they 
are some weeks old. Shallow vessels, with but little 
depth of water, should be kept where they can have 
plenty of it, and fresJi^ without wetting their feathers. 
Dampness, wet, rain, and exposure to the hot sun, kill 
more than any other causes, after the turkey chicks be- 
gin to be able to wander about, as they so quickly incline 
to do. 

House the young birds, invariably, until the night 
dews are ofif the grass, too. When you come to the 
fattening — in the fall — when they are five to six 
months old, feed them with any substance that will 
fatten other poultry, and give them all they will eat up 
clean. They put on flesh rapidly, then, and soon be- 
come fit for roasters. If you so manage as never to 
allow them to be low in flesh, it is much the best way, 
since you can then dispose of them advantageously at 
any size or age, after four or five months old. 

Some turkey-raisers recommend to *' wash the young 
chicks in a strong decoction of tobacco, if they droop." 
This is said by others to be an excellent way to kill 
them, as quickly as the veriest executioner could desire ! 
An old u{>country farmer, who has raised thousands of 
turkeys, in New Hampshire — and good ones, too — for 
the Boston market, writes me thus: 



296 burnham's new poultry-book; 

"I never meddle with the young turkey-chicks at 
hatching, for half a day after all are safely out. Then 
we put them in a dry place (which is indispensable) 
and afterwards feed them frequently, a little at a time, 
half a dozen times a day, till they are a fortnight old. 
The hen is cooped, and not till the young ones are five 
or six weeks old, do we let her out ; and then not till 
after ten o'clock in the morning. Keep them clean, 
vary their food, always avoid letting them out in rainy 
days, till they get strong and well formed, and there is 
no trouble in bringing up, to good account, your 
broods of turkeys — in the country, where they can 
have range, (woods, or good pasture grounds,) at the 
proper age. After they " shoot the red " safely — 
which is a tender season with them, we do not lose one 
in twenty birds. And we simply look after them sys- 
tematically, and feed regularly. At harvesting, they 
pretty much take care of themselves, in the fields. We 
fatten quickly, and kill off from the middle of Novem- 
ber to December 20th, as you know." 

Avoid givipg anything that is over-salt to the young 
birds. Mix their food with skim-milk, curd, <fec. 
Give the hen pure fresh water, as well as good food. 
She will take good care of the little ones, ordinarily, 
but all the better for being kept in good condition. In 
the spring, obtain a fresh male, by exchange, or other- 
wise ; let him be over two years old. Breed your old 
hens, which are far the best, and go on again. And 
you will not find it difficult to raise good turkeys. 

Among the prominent raisers of fine breeding stock 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 297 

of Domestic Turkeys, we may mention the Brothers 
Murdock, of Meridaii, Conn., T. B. Smith & Co., 
Plantsville, Conn., E. J. Taylor & Bro'., Waterloo, 
N. Y., Wm. Simpson Jr., of West Farms, N. Y., (very 
fine,) D. W. Herstine, Philadelphia, A. Failor, Newton, 
Iowa, and C. N. Palmer & Sons, Gallipolis, Ohio ; of 
either of whom Turkey-breeders may always readily 
procure prime specimens of this race, to replenish their 
poultry-yards with — and the male bird of which tribe 
should be used only during a single season, on tlie same 
farm — to procure the best results. 

Several fanciers have sent us the announcement that 
amongst their stock they are now giving a share of 
their attention to breeding the mammoth Bronze Tur- 
key — a cross of the wild cock, with selected domestic 
hen-turkies ; thus producing the largest fowl we have 
ever had in this country, beyond comparison. Enor- 
mous sizes have been reached with the male birds of 
this cross, within the past few years ; one firm inform- 
ing us that pairs of these turkies have attained the 
extraordinary weight of sixti/ pounds, at fifteen months 
old ! They are large, very showy, and handsome — 
hardy, and as easily reared as the twenty-five pounds 
per pair turkies. The plumage is of a glossy black, 
shaded with glittering bay and brown, giving the 
general hue of a rich bronze. The hen's plumage is 
similar, except that the tinge is not so brilliant as in the 
male. In some sections, this colossal bird is being 
brought to great perfection, through careful manipula- 
tion among those experienced in rearing them, and the 



298 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

fine portrait from life, which we give in cut No. 14, will 
give the reader an idea of the proportions of a stalwart 
representative of this grand favorite among the domes- 
tic feathered race. 

Messrs. C. N. Palmer & Sons, of Gallipolis, Ohio, are 
this year breeding a goodly variety of fowls, from the 
best strains of imported stock procurable, and amateurs 
in the western states can obtain of these gentlemen 
good birds of most of the leading varieties. In addi- 
tion to the Brahmas, Cochins, Houdan, and Black 
Spanish, they have the monster Bronze Turkies, of 
which they raise fine samples, and also the large white 
Bremen Geese, Crested (or Cuban) Ducks, and some 
other varieties. They have selected their fine breeding 
stock with great care, and give their attention to re- 
producing all their poultry in its purity. 

In the Poultry Bulletin for May, " Topknot " gives 
the following concise recommendations regarding his 
method of raising turkies, and thus states his experience 
with the mammoth Bronze turkey, which is now being 
bred with great success by that gentleman and others, 
in different parts of the country. He states that " the 
Bronze turkey is a great improvement over the common 
variety. The cocks weigh at maturity 40 lbs. and hens 
22 lbs. Hens in their second year are the best for 
breeding. I prefer using a young tom, as old ones are 
so heavy they are apt to skin the backs of the hens. 
When the turkeys are about to lay, place a few old bar- 
rels on their sides, and make nests in them ; put in a 
few nest eggs, and partly cover the entrance with brush 



t 

A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 299 

to make it private. I remove the eggs every evening, 
and when tlie hen wishes to sit, fix a good nest by put- 
ting some ashes and fresh hay on it, and give her about 
17 eggs. The young ones will require no food the first 
day after they are hatched. The best food for them is 
curd witli young onion tops chopped fine and mixed 
with it. I generally give them hard boiled eggs the first 
few days. They require feeding little and often, every 
two hours, if possible ; after they are a week old they 
can have some cracked corn, and oat and wheat grits. 
In fact, this mode of feeding is just right for all kinds of 
young poultry. Do not fail to give fresh cool water 
three times a day ; milk is good for an occasional drink. 
If they have any lice on them, rub on some dry flour 
of sulphur, and they will soon be free from them. When 
the turkeys are hatched, I put them in a coop and have 
a yard around it, which is made by nailing four boards 
together. This makes a little fence to keep the young 
turke/s from straying ; it should be about fifteen inches 
high ; it is moved around every few days, on short grass. 
The old and young are shut up in the coop at night, in 
storms, and when the grass is wet ; at all other times 
they have their freedom of the little yard. The old one 
will not go off and leave the young, and does better for 
not being confined. As soon as the young are able to 
fly out, they may be allowed to roam and scratch for 
grasshoppers, and it is surprising how many they will 
devour, and how they thrive on them. I generally set 
the first clutch of eggs under hens, seven to nine each ; 
the turkey will then lay her second clutch in the course 



300 burnham's new poultry-book; 

of a few weeks, if not allowed to sit, and they are not 
too late to make fine birds. Last season, I tried a third 
clutch, but they were too late to be profitable. I weigh- 
ed my first brood of last season's turkeys, with the fol- 
lowing result ; they were just eight months old. Eight 
gobblers weighed from 23 1-2 lbs. to 29 1-2 lbs. each, 
and averaged 25 1-2 lb. Six hens from 13 1-2 to 15 lb. 
each, average a little over 14 lb. The Common tur- 
keys of the country will hardly average these weights ; 
so your readers can form their own opinion as to the 
merits of the Bronze Turkey.'* 





CHAPTER XXYI. 



WILD, BREMEN, TOULOUSE, AND MONGREL GEESE. 

The ' Canada goose,' is the American Wild Goose ; 
every where known upon this Continent, as well as in 
Europe. It is a very handsome water-fowl, (see cut 
No. 15) with its black head and neck, and its sable tail 
and rump, and dark brown back — while the rest of 
the feathering is a dingy but decided gray. 

The regular migrations of this widely known fowl 
are noted as the forerunner of coming Spring and 
Winter, as they sail north or south — from season to 
season. Wilson, the celebrated ornithologist writes 
that " except in calm weather, the flocks of American 
wild geese rarely sleep on the water, generally preferring 
to roost all night in the marshes. When the shallow 
bays are frozen, they seek the mouths of inlets near the 
sea, occasionally visiting the air or breathing-holes in 

301 



m 

802 buenham's new poultry-book. 

the ice ; but these bays are seldom so completely frozen 
as to prevent their feeding on the bars at the entrance." 
Breeding the Wild Goose with the Common Goose of 
our poultry-farms, produces only mules, that will not 
breed again ; but there is no difficulty in crossing this bird 
with the others, if a male wild goose can be had, which is 
difficult except in case where one is wounded, and 
secured alive. Colonel Thayer, of Braintree, Mass., 
informed the American Agriculturist, some years ago, 
that he was thus successful, and bred a fine gander on 
his premises. He says — "A few years since, a neigh- 
bor of mine shot at a flock of wild geese, while they 
were passing to the south, wounded one in the wing, 
took it alive, and very soon domesticated him. He 
became very tame, and went with the other geese. I 
bought him, and kept him three years, and then mated 
him with an old native goose. They had several broods 
of young ones, and the old goose became feeble, so 
much so that she could not sit long enough to hatch out 
her eggs. I accordingly put them under another goose, 
where they did very well. In the fall of the year I 
gave her away, and mated the wild gander with another. 
In the spring following, about six months after, I heard 
that the old goose had got better, and was in good 
health. She was brought home and put into my poul- 
try-yard. The wild gander and his new mate were at a 
distance of about eighty rods, in another pasture. As 
soon as the old goose was put into the yard she made a 
loud noise, which the wild gander heard. He immedi- 
ately left his new mate and came down to the yard, 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 308 

recognized his old mate, entered into close conversation, 
and appeared extremely happy in seeing her again." 

*' In their spring and autumn migrations, wild geese 
are well known to the inhabitants of the interior as well 
as the coast and great lakes of America, from our lowest 
latitudes, and have been seen as far north as has yet been 
approached by our most intrepid navigators, and then 
pursuing their journey northward. The English at 
Hudson's Bay depend greatly on geese ; and in favora- 
ble years, kill three or four thousand, and barrel them 
up for use. In a good day, a single Indian will kill two 
hundred. The feathers are an article of commerce, and 
are sent to England. Their food is tender aquatic herb- 
age, and a marine plant called sea-cabbage, together 
with grain and beriies. Their flight is heavy and la- 
borious, generally in a straight line, or in two lines ap- 
proximating to a point thus, > : in both cases the van 
is led by an old gander, who, every now and then, pipes 
his well known lionk^ as if to ask how they come on, 
and the Jionk of "- All's well " is generally returned by 
some of the party. When bewildered in foggy weather, 
they appear sometimes to be in great distress, flying 
about in an irregular manner, over the same quarter, 
making a great clamor, during which the inhabitants 
deal death and destruction amongst them. The wound- 
ed birds are easily domesticated, and readily pair with 
the tame gray goose, and tlieir offspring are found to be 
larger than either ; but the markings of the wild goose 
predominate." 

The Bremen^ or Embden, Goose (Cut No. 16,) was 



304 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

originally introduced into America in 1821, I think, by 
Colonel Samuel Jaques, of Tenliiirs Farm, Medford, 
Mass., and was bred by him for many years, with great 
success, on his fine estate near the mouth of the Mystic 
River. The name Embden is that of a town in Holland, 
where they first came from — but Col. Jaques was never 
inclined to multiply names, unnecessarily ; and as he got 
his original stock of these monster white birds from 
Bremen direct, lie called them Bremen Geese. 

They are in all particulars like the common geese, 
except that they are very large — year-old ganders fre- 
quently weighing 28 to 35 pounds each, alive. The 
quality of the flesh is superior, and they are so ponder- 
ous and heavy that they move about but sluggishly, and 
thus put on fat very readily. Mr. Sisson, of Warren, 
R. T., five years after Col. Jaques imported his Bre- 
mens, had three direct from the same port. He says, 
in the N. E. Farmer, " their properties are peculiar. 
They lay in February, sit and hatch with more certain- 
ty than the common goose, will weigh nearly, and in 
some instances quite twice their weight, have double the 
quantity of feathers, never fly, and are all of a beautiful 
snowy whiteness." Dr. John C. Bennett furnished the 
author with half a dozen of these monstrous geese in 
1851, that averaged 51 1-2 lbs. per pair. And in 1852, 
I received through a German friend a pair direct from 
Bremen, that weighed on shipboard 55 3-4 pounds, alive. 
I sent these two geese to Felix Ducayet, Esq., of New 
Orleans, with four others, for which he paid me fifty dol- 
lars the pair. They are a beautiful fowl, and resemble 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 305 

the white swan upon the water, at a short distance. 
The Bremens are now bred in their purity, I believe, by 
C. N. Pahuer & Sons, Gallipolis, Ohio, D. W. Herstine, 
Philadelphia, T. B. Smith, Plantsville, Conn., and a few 
other gentlemen, but they are not now so commonly bred 
in Massachusetts, as formerly. 

The Toulouse Goose, (see cut No. 16,) as its name 
implies, is from France, and is known from the ordinary 
dark gray goose of this country by being much larger, 
and its color darker, as well as uniform, in the different 
samples imported and bred here. Its abdominal part is 
very large, and hangs down prominently behind, some- 
times almost touching the ground, as they clumsily 
waddle about. 

Dixon, in his Poultry Book, says " this variety of 
goose, which has been so much extolled and sold at 
such high prices, is only the common domestic, en- 
larged by early hatching, very liberal feeding during 
youth, fine climate, and perhaps ht/ age. I am in pos- 
session of geese, hatched at a season when it was diffi- 
cult to supply them with abundance of nourishing green 
food, that are as much undersized as the Toulouse 
goose is oversized ; they are all domestic geese, never- 
theless.'* But, although I have seen hundreds of good 
samples of the Toulouse Goose, and thousands upon 
thousands of our natives, / never saw one of the latter 
that approached the enormous size of the French goose 
— and I doubt very much if there be not an error in 
this statement. 

I have seen specimens of the Toulouse Geese that 



306 burnham's new poultry book ; 

would draw 42 pounds to the pair ; and, in the yard of 
Col. Jaques, a few years ago, that gentleman showed 
me pairs that were heavier than this, even, by a pound 
or two, I was informed. It is of some importance to 
the farmer, who has the facilities for keeping water- 
fowl, that he have the best breed of geese attainable — 
even if he cross them (in the first instance) upon the 
common goose ; for the increased weight and size — at 
an early age — produced through this process, tells^ in 
the fall, when he comes to Christmas-ize his ' yearlings,' 
or the goslings of the same year's raising. We have no 
doubt that the Toulouse is a distinct variety, and we are 
certain it is a very fine one. The breeders of the 
Bremen^ whom we have named in this chapter, furnish 
the Toulouse, also, we learn ; and we can safely com- 
mend this splendid bird to all who go for size, easy 
keeping, hardiness, and truthfulness to their like, if 
bred together, in the raising of first-class geese. 

The great African Goose, (Cut No. 16,) is another 
of the large birds of the genus anser — said by some 
authors to be the largest of all we have had in this 
country, from abroad. It has been called the "Knobbed 
Goose," from the peculiarity of possessing a hard knob 
on its head — a sort of brown fleshy substance, formed 
from the base of the bill, backward. It has a large 
dew-lap, also, under the throat, down the neck. It is 
called the " Swan Goose," from its size — the " Hong 
Kong," the " Brown China," etc. Its color is not un- 
like that of the Toulouse, but darker brownish. The 
ganders of this variety are enormous fellows. Thirty 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 307 

pounds' weight is not unusual, for a three-year old. 
We have seen none of this once famous and popular 
bird for some years. They were formerly bred in 
Weymouth, Braintree, and Randolph, Mass., finely, 
but the race has disappeared from among us, in this 
neighborhood. 

" It is somewhat larger," says Brisson, " than the 
tame goose ; the head and the top of the neck are 
brown, deeper on the upper side than on the under ; . . . . 
on the origin of the bill there rises a round and fleshy 
tubercle ; . . . . under the throat also there hangs a sort 
of fleshy membrane." Klien regards this goose as a 
variety of the Siberian, which is the same with the 
Guinea goose. " I saw," says he, " a variety of the 
Siberian goose, its throat larger, its bill and legs black, 
with a black depressed tubercle." 

By whatever name it should be known, it is a remark- 
able bird, and we have been surprised that it has been 
suffered to " run out " around us, when we are informed 
by the breeders of this variety to whom we have alluded 
(in Massachusetts) that it was " no more trouble to 
raise this, than the common goose ; while its weight at 
same age was double, and its meat really better than 
the mongrel." 

The other varieties of Geese — such as the " White 
Chinese," " the Barnacle," the Egyptian," etc., are 
little known, and less used among Poulterers, and 
we make no farther reference to them. These three 
varieties* we have described can be chosen from for 
breeders to advantage, and we will conclude this chap- 



808 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

ter with a description of the habits and needs of the 
Common well known native Goose of the country — the 
' Mongrel — ' that is bred everywhere so larj^ely in the 
northern states of America. 

A noted old English breeder of Geese, suggests the 
following directions, the result of long experience, which 
we deem both practical and applicable to the raising of 
these favorite water-fowl in our own country ; where so 
many thousand of these birds are reared for disposal in 
the city markets of America, annually. He says of the 
Toulouse Goose, that the abdominal pouch peculiar to 
this variety (of which we have spoken) " which, in 
other geese, is an indication of old age, exist, in those 
from the shell. Their flesh is tender and well-flavored. 
It is quite certain that their cross on our domestic goose, 
would be found a most valuable acquisition.'* He then 
adds that " there are two prevailing colors amongst our 
Domestic (or Mongrel) Geese — white and gray." This 
applies with us also, uniformly. He says, farther, '' we 
have a large, white variety, usually termed Embden (or 
Bremen) geese, which are very superior, from their 
extra size, and additional value of the feathers. If you 
wish a gray goose, by all means cross with the Toulouse, 
than which nothing can be finer. One gander is suffi- 
cient for five or six geese ; the goose lays from ten to 
twenty eggs at one laying ; but by removing the eggs as 
fast as they are laid, and feeding her well, you may in- 
crease her laying to fifty eggs. If well cared for, you 
may have three clutches in the year. The care neces- 
sary, is good housing and feeding. " You will readily 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 309 

perceive when a goose is about to lay ; she carries straw 
to make a nest ; when that is observed, she should be 
confined, lest she lay out. If you induce her, by con- 
finement, to lay her first egg in any particular place, 
she will be sure to deposit the remainder of her clutch 
in the same nest. Her inclination to hatch is indicated 
by her remaining in the nest longer than usual after 
laying. The nest may be of straw, with a finer lining, 
dry hay, or moss ; and be sure it is sufficiently deep to 
prevent the eggs rolling out. About fifteen eggs is 
thought a sufficient clutch. The less the goose and her 
eggs are tampered with, the better ; she sits from twenty- 
seven to thirty days. The gander never molests her on 
the nest, but acts as a sentinel to repel intruders." 

It will be necessary to see that the goose be fed 
while hatching, as, if she find a difficulty in providing 
food, she may be kept too long off her nest, and perhaps 
at length desert it. The goslings will not require food 
for twelve hours after leaving the shell ; their food may 
be bread, soa,ked in milk, porridge, curds, boiled greens, 
or bran, mixed with boiled potatoes, given warm, but 
not hot. Do not allow them to be subject to rain, or 
cold wind ; keep them for at least forty-eight hours 
after hatching, /rom the water, which would be likely 
to bring on cramps. Although so fond of water, if you 
wish to keep your geese well, you will have to house 
and bed them at night, dry and comfortably. Grass is 
essential to the well-keeping of geese, their favorite 
being the long, coarse, rank grass, rejected by cattle, 
and therefore, through the goose, is turned to profit, 



310 buenham's new poultry-book: 



The goose is easily kept, but if intended for market, 
they require, in addition to green food, some boiled 
potatoes, mixed with bran, given warm, but not hot. 
To fatten goslings for market, give potatoes or turnips, 
bruised with barley or oatmeal, at least twice a day. 

Mr. Cobbet says, the refuse of a market garden, 
would maintain a great many geese, at a very small 
cost ; but, in addition to the green food, they would re- 
quire boiled or steamed potatoes, given warm ; or oat- 
meal, peas, or maize, beat up with boiled potatoes, car- 
rots, or turnips. An objection has been made to allow- 
ing geese to run over a pasture, their excrement being 
acrid and unwholesome. But common geese in this 
country are raised upon premises usually of no great 
value, otherv^ise ; and the traveller upon the railways 
going into New York city, for example, for the last ten 
leagues, will remember the myriads of geese that dot 
the cheap places upon either side of the track, which 
are annually raised there by the poorer classes, for the 
neighboring market ; to which fact, as a single instance, 
the reader is pointed in proof of the ease with which 
this bird is multiplied among us, if one has the fancy. 
It is not a difficult thing — with almost any kind of ac- 
commodations — to raise geese. 



CHAPTER XXYII. 

THE AYLESBURY, ROUEN, AND COMMON DUCK. 

The Aylesbury (see next page) is the largest and 
most beautiful variety of pure white Duck we have in 
this country, and the most valuable, at this time. It 
was imported from Europe many years ago, in limited 
numbers, and has been very considerably bred, in differ- 
ent parts of this country. It is a great favorite with 
fanciers of ornamental water-fowl, and justly so, and 
may now be had of most of the leading dealers, in the 
Eastern and Middle States. 

Those who have bred this splendid variety say, that 
no Duck is more easily raised that this, and from its 
large size, it is useful as well as ornamental. They are 
productive of beautiful white soft feathers, the meat is 
white, delicate, and savory, and the Aylesburys always 
command a ready sale, in market, for their acknowl- 
edged superiority of size and quality. 
311 



312 



BURNHAM S NEW POULTRY-BOOK ; 




^ 




No. i5 CANADA," OR AMERICAN WILD >.,COSF- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 313 

When judiciously fed, they will weigh at maturity 
seven to eight pounds each — and will average (male 
and female) about twelve pounds the pair. They are 
very profitable layers, while they are easy keepers, not 
being usually so voracious as the common Duck. They 
are not so noisy either, and come up to their weight 
rapidly, at a less age than the others. It is quite a dis- 
tinct variety. Mr. John Giles, formerly of Rhode Is- 
land, bred the Aylesbury among the earliest in this 
country. He describes those he brought out with him 
from England, as being '' pure white ; with white bills ; 
their flesh is of a beautiful white ; their weight eight to 
ten pounds per pair, when fully grown." Mr. Mowbray 
wrote many years since, that '' the great white Ayles- 
bury ducks are a beautiful and ornamental stock. They 
are early layers and breeders, and are in great demand. 
Many families derive a comfortable living from breed- 
ing and rearing ducks ; the greater part of which — the 
early ones at all events — are actually reared by hand by 
cottagers." 

All authorities agree that this bird is the finest duck 
we ever had in America. A New York agricultural 
journal pronounces them '' the only variety which real- 
ly rivals the Rouen as a useful and economical bird. 
These are a pure English variety, good feeders, and by 
some decidedly perferred to the Rouen." 

The Rouen Duck (see cut opposite) takes its name 
from the city of Rouen, in France, where it is bred 
largely. Epicures pronounce its meat first class, and 
like the Aylesbury, it is a prolific layer of large eggs. 



314 



BURNHAM S NEW POULTRY-BOOK ; 




A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 315 

Its color is much like the wild duck, and the drake's, 
especially, is very showy and beautiful. The female is 
of a splashed dark brown and black, even and regular in 
form of the feathering. The drake's head and neck is a 
beautiful green, with a white ring around it at the base. 
The breast is a rich brown, and the rest of the body 
plumage similar to the plumage of the wild mallard. 

It is a heavy, waddling, sleepy kind of fowl, and puts 
on flesh and fat quickly. They are very hardy, how- 
ever, and the Common Duck of the country everywhere 
shows the markings of this fowl, with which it has been 
extensively crossed, for years, among us. They lay 
steadily from the beginning, sometimes dropping fifty to 
seventy eggs without missing a single day — then laying 
every other day, perhaps, for months longer. They are 
good sitters, but hens are better to set their eggs under, 
they are so heavy and clumsy. 

The " Cayuga Black " Duck is another large variety 
which breeders in New York State reproduce, most 
largely. The late Dr. Eben Wight of Dedham, Mass., 
formerly raised upon his place good specimens of all 
three of these varieties — though, (as he fancied the white 
Dorkings) he preferred the white Aylesbury to all other 
varieties of duck. The Cayuga was first known, we be- 
lieve, upon the shores of Cayuga Lake, in Central New 
York — whence its name — and it is now bred there in 
considerable numbers, very successfully. Its size will 
average fully that of the Eouen, and it is a clear black 
duck, for the most part, in its purity. 

The Summer, or Wood duck, is the most beautiful in 



316 burnham's new poultry-book; 

plumage of all the race we have here. It is much 
smaller than the others, and is a wild bird. I have 
never known it to be domesticated, though Col. Jaques 
of Medford, some years since showed me a flock he had, 
(whose wings he had jointed to keep them from flying 
away,) which he attempted to tame and breed ; with 
what success I never learned. 

Wilson describes this as the most beautiful of all our 
Ducks, which has no superior for its richness and variety 
of color. It is called the wood duck, from the circum- 
stance of its breeding in hollow trees ; and the summer 
duck, from remaining with us chiefly during the sum- 
mer. It rarely visits the sea shore, or salt marshes, its 
favorite haunts being the solitary, muddy creeks, ponds, 
and mill-dams of the interior. 

The summer duck flics in flocks of not more than 
three or four together, and most commonly in pairs, or 
singly. Their flesh is inferior to that of the blue- 
winged teal. They are frequent in the mai'kets of 
Philadelphia. Among other gaudy feathers with which 
the Indians ornament the calumet or pipe of peace, the 
skin of the head and neck of this duck is frequently 
seen covering the stem. 

We have also the Canvas-back, Red-head, the Blue- 
winged Teal, the Muscovy, etc., but the mass of ducks 
furnished for our markets are the native Domestic Duck ; 
which is too well known to need a description, and too 
varied in color to be described in detail. They run 
from white to black — speckled, spotted, gray, and 
Rouen colored. These can readily be traced to tlie 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 317 

wild originals, and are easily multiplied. The Domestic 
Duck will find its own food, for the greater part of the 
year, if it have sufficient scope of water to furnish it 
with aquatic plants ; or, if permitted to ramble, the 
beechmast and acorns furnish it with nutrition, meadows 
and pasture grounds afford it insectiverous matter, and 
if an occasional feed of boiled potatoes, with a little 
grain be given, it will flourish. One drake is sufficient 
for five or six ducks. They begin to lay in February, 
when they require additional food. They usually lay 
either at night, or early in the morning — a circum- 
stance that should be attended to, as, if permitted to 
ramble away, when about to lay, they frequently drop 
their eggs in the water ; but, if oonfined a few times, 
they incline to lay in the same place. The time of in- 
cubation is thirty days ; after which the young follow 
the parent, and should be kept from the water for a 
couple of days. Soft food agrees with them ; barley- 
meal and water, mixed thin, or chopped egg and oat- 
meal, is a favorite food. 

The illustrations we give of the Ducks are from 
Messrs. D. L. Stage & Co. of Schenectady, who breed 
the finer varieties, purely, and whose birds have taken 
prizes at the American Poultry shows, frequently, we 
learn. Both the Aylesbury and Rouen Duck are largely 
bred by others — Mr. Warner, of New York Mills, 
Messrs, Murdock of Meriden, Conn., T. B. Smith <fe Co. 
of Plantsville, Conn., Isaac Van Winkle, Greenville, 
N. J., D. W. EEerstine, and J. M. Wade, of Philadel- 
phia, etc., being among the principal poulterers who 
give attention to these fine water-fowl. 




CHAPTER XXYIII. 



WHAT I KNOW ABOUT POULTRY, AND FOWL-SHOWS. 

In the final chapters of my " New Poultry Book," I 
have thought it pertinent — at the risk of its being 
deemed somewhat egotistical, perhaps — to state some- 
thing of what I know about Poultry, in a general way, 
and what I have learned, in my long experience, as 
amateur, importer, and breeder of Domestic Fowls. 

I learned, at an early date in that experience, that it 
is not profitable to place too much reliance upon the 
unsettled opinions, or loose statements — often made in 
entire good faith, nevertheless, of a great many people 
who deal in poultry, and particularly of some who 
make this occupation a specific business. 

I have since learned that the ideas and notions of 

318 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 319 

certain persons of this class are inclined to be bigoted, 
and that their judgment is warped, through selfishness 
frequently ; but oftener through positive ignorance of 
the business in which they engage — for their own per- 
sonal aggrandizement, alone — heedless of what may 
be the interests of others, in the same line of trade, 
who may be abundantly able to compete with them. 

I have ascertained that few men engaged in the fowl- 
trade are disposed to enlarge their usefulness by dis- 
seminating their choice stock, at reasonably moderate 
prices, so that the farmer, the poor man, and the multi- 
tude can avail themselves of the benefits of the " im- 
provement " they nominally propose to undertake in the 
character of tlie poultry-stock of this or other countries, 
through the introduction of new varieties, and fresh 
blood, from abroad. 

I have found that the breeder or fancier in Europe or 
America, is yet to be discovered, who will take three 
pounds sterling for his birds, so long as he can obtain 
five ; or accept ten dollars, while he can get fifteen, or 
twenty ! And I do not hesitate to admit that like the 
others, I was long troubled with this same affection ; for 
the reason, I suppose, that this predilection is inherent 
in the chicken-raiser, in all nations, alike. 

I have become satisfied that it does not pay to give 
one's time to breeding specimen fowls for the exhibition 
room, alone ; more especially, if the breeder happens to 
be a moderately modest, honest ' outsider ; ' who — 
though he ^naij be able to contribute a cage or two of 
the best samples shown, does not luckily chance to be- 



320 burnham's new poultry book : 



long to " our set," or " our ring." And there be 
many earnest striving amateurs who have had the op- 
portunity to share with me in acquiring this item of 
information, to their cost, during the past score of years, 
in this country. 

I have found out that Poultry Societies are most ex- 
cellent institutions, in their way, when well managed, 
and fairly conducted towards all their members, indis- 
criminately — and that Fowl Exhibitions have proved 
both beneficial and profitable, where they have been 
regulated justly and generously, in the interests of the 
whole, rather than for the aggrandizement of a few of 
their more fortunate, and so influential members. 

I have made it certain, in my own mind, that the 
"judges" at Poultry exhibitions in the United States — 
though usually honest and fair meaning men — are not 
selected so much for their experience in these matters, 
and their competency to pronounce upon the genuine 
merits of the fowls placed in competition 'for their de- 
cisions, as they might be ; and that we have in Ameri- 
ca, to-day, but few men who will undertake this duty, 
and decide a case for themselves, individually, upon any 
nice point, without being affected by " outside pressure," 
or the opinions of co-laborers on the Committees. 

1 have proved tlie fact, to my entire satisfaction, that 
the poulterer who permits fowls of different varieties to 
run promiscuously together in the fall and winter, and 
only separates them in the spring, a month before breed- 
ing them, can never afterwards restore his pullets to 
'pure breeders, again. Hens thus jeopardized, are con- 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 321 

taminated, for life ; and no known natural law will ef- 
fect a recovery from the injury, communicated through 
this careless process, altogether too common among 
fanciers and amateurs who subscribe to the doctrine that 
the presence of any desired male with the female, for a 
feiv days^ or weeks, only, (prior to setting her eggs) is 
sufficient to insure joz^re-bred chickens from such fowls I 

I have observed that the dealers generally have found 
from experience that eggs sent from their establish- 
ments for hatching, to any great distance, cannot safely 
be warranted, however cautiously they may contrive to 
pack them ; and honorable men admit now-a-days, that 
there is a risk in such transportation, owing to the 
rough treatment they must almost invariably encounter 
en route. This being the exact truth, buyers must" take 
their chances," and be satisfied, as a rule, that though 
eggs so forwarded may be in perfect condition, when 
shipped, the receivers cannot count confidently upon 
getting the same number of chickens from them as there 
are eggs in the boxes. 

I have become convinced that poultry dealers, as a 
class, are prone to deem the particular variety or strain 
of blood they possess to be better than that owned by 
others ; and I have not been obliged to travel out of my 
way to meet with more than one gentleman who really 
believed in tliis theory, and was honest in his declara- 
tions ; yet who did not think there were any pure 
Cochins in America, until he imported a few, recently, 
from England ! 

1 have learned that in the details of this business, as 



322 burnham's new poultry-book. 

in many other affairs of life, it is a very easy thing to 
be mistaken, in our estimation both of a rival breeder's 
stock and his real intentions. And that the more we 
cry down the character of a competitor's poultry, be it 
good or indifferent — the more business we make for 
him, and the less for ourselves, as we go. The harder 
you rub a rusty copper, the brighter the old coin will 
shine. 

I have become convinced that this goodly world of 
ours is large enough for us all, and that there is suffi- 
cient room in it for us to get on, comfortably, with- 
out elbowing or jostling our neighbors ; and, at the same 
time, I have found from experience, that while a deal of 
money may be made by attending courteously to our 
own affairs — a deal more can be made by decorously 
leaving the concerns of other people alone — even in the 
chicken trade. 

Well tried experiments have taught me that " prize 
birds," either from the English or American show- 
rooms, are not generally to be relied on as the best 
fowls to breed from. Enterprising fanciers, who con- 
trive to put into the exhibition-hall their superior pair 
or trio of imported or high-bred specimens, are obliged 
to cram these birds, ordinarily, to bring them to perfec- 
tion in size, plumage, and condition, for competition. 
Oftentimes these fowls are aged, fat, and dropsical, and 
the eggs of such forced samples don't throw chickens 
that come up to their parents in fine quality, by any 
means ; and, oftener than otherwise, these immense, 
showy hens will be found to lay no eggs at all, after 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 323 

being thus forced and stuifed, on two or three occa- 
sions. 

It is within my own experience that show-birds thus 
purchased — at enormous figures — have in the last 
named particular disappointed the buyer, altogether, 
having never given him an egg, after he placed them 
triumphantly in his fine fowl-house ! And so lately as 
in the year 1870, at one of our leading shows, the 
owner of the first premium fowls, in a certain class, was 
offered twenty-five dollars for a dozen eggs from the 
two prize-hens ; but, up to May 1871, neither of them 
had laid one. Yet this same trio, placed again in com- 
petition in any show-room in the United States, would 
again bear away the highest honors ; for, to look at, 
they were, in all respects, certainly extraordinary fine 
fowls. 

In this connection, experience has exemplified, to my 
thorough satisfaction, that the Brahma or the Cochin 
fowl need not always be the largest, the highest upon 
its legs, or the weightiest, to be the most desirable to 
breed from. Points tell. Fine chickens may be, and 
are raised, from medium-sized cocks and hens, if they 
are judiciously fed, and wisely cared for. But an ob- 
servant writer in a late number of the Rural New 
Yorker, says that he discovered in a recent coop of 
prize-birds there, that " the adipose tissue of these fowls 
was alarmingly in excess, and he thought that apoplexy 
would soon follow," in their case, from the stuffing 
process to which they had evidently been subjected, be- 
fore they left England, where they had been forced up 



324 burnham's new poultry dook ; 

to great weight, and from whence they had recently 
been imported, for this very occasion. 

I have seen the plan so many times and oft-repeated 
at exhibitions, where the successful fancier has borne 
away the palm by showing such fowls, and I have my- 
self so frequently been the victim of misplaced confi- 
dence, in this respect, at heavy cost, that I feci I am 
doing but a simple act of justice to others, when I state 
that I have learned not to pay the high prices such 
birds readily command, with a view ever to be able to 
breed from them such progeny as will give either me 
or my patrons satisfaction. And I am certain that 
other zealous breeders have, within a few years, 
through their experience, arrived at this self-same con- 
clusion. 

I am no longer in doubt as to the fact that there are 
liiow in this country plenty of men who can, and do, 
breed first-class poultry, as well as you or I can do it — 
reader ; and if you chance to be one of those who do 
not agree with me, in this opinion, I trust you may 
quickly and hopefully be brought to see the error of 
your way —r as I was — several years since. 

I have not yet learned the addVess of the sailor who 
^^ brought into New York the first Brahma fowls, in 
a ship that came direct from up the Brama-poutra 
River-—- " ' which, I wish to remark, and my language 
is plain ' -^ " is a stream that discharges its waters into 
the Bay of Bengal." And, as an inquirer after truth, 
I shall take it kindly in any brother-poulterer who will 
give me this information — - if he ever learns it — though 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 325 

I really don't think he will. ' Which is why I remark 
that this statement is dark ; which the same I am free 
to maintain.' 

I have concluded, from what I have had to do with 
poultry — of all descriptions — imported, home-bred, 
and crossed — that the most valuable fowl for all the 
purposes of the fancier or the farmer, in America, is the 
Chinese strain, whether it be adopted from among the 
Brahmas, the Cochins, or the Shanghses. And notwith- 
standing the decisions and Reports of Poultry-Show 
Judges that " there are more profitable breeds than 
this," I still think that time will show this assumption 
of Committees to be erroneous. 

I have learned that this matter of the ' decision of 
judges ' is a very important one, and that it ought to be 
so contrived that disinterested, competent, willing, un- 
,prejudiced, intelligent men only should be placed upon 
such Committees ; and that unfortunately we find 
precious few such persons in the poultry societies of 
this country, while in England, even, they are quite as 
rarely to be met with, so far as I can gather. 

I have informed myself that the " Cochin China " 
and the Shanghae fowl are not precisely the same bird, 
and I have long since been of the opinion that calling a 
breed of fowls by any outlandish or new-fangled name, 
simply, does not change the character and merits or de- 
merits of the bird so afflicted — while it answers no 
useful purpose, either to the breeder, or the fowl, first 
or last ; and only serves to aid in bringing the business 
of poultry-raising into disrepute, and ridicule, both at 
home and abroad. 



326 burnham's new poultry-book; 

I have ascertained that with the right sort of man- 
agement of good stock, the finest fowls in this world 
can be raised in these goodly United States of ours ; 
and that repeated experiments have proved that birds 
of the choicest kinds to be had in England, sent over 
to this country and bred here as fowls ought to be bred, 
have been returned to that country so improved (in all 
essential particulars) not by crossing — but by legiti- 
mate breeding — that the same stock has scarcely been 
recognisable there. This is one thing the Yankee can 
accomplish, sure. 

1 have determined that in my judgment we can — 
and so we ought to — breed poultry in America that 
will beat the world, in all the desirable qualities that go 
to make up a first-class fowl, for the spit, the pit, or 
the gentleman's lawn ; and it is in no spirit of boasting 
that I make this statement, since the fact is well known, 
and acknowledged, on both sides of the Atlantic, by 
those who are the best able to judge of the truthfulness 
of this assertion — one candid English writer in the 
London " Field " using the frank expression that 
'' since Brother Jonathan made the Brahmas, I wish 
he would make us something more." 

I have found out many other things of kindred 
character, in relation to the handling, exhibiting and 
breeding of poultry, which I will not trouble the reader 
with, for the present— for chicken-raisers will sooner 
or later learn all these matters from tlieir own indi- 
vidual experience and observation, as I have acquired 
the information here submitted. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

TWENTY-FIVE GOOD RULES FOR FOWL-BREEDERS. 

In conclusion, I set down the following five and twen- 
ty rules and hints, in brief, for the benefit of those who 
may not be familiar with all these matters; which I 
deem highly impoi^tant, however, to be observed by those 
who would breed fowls well and successfully. 

I. — WHO TO PURCHASE FROM. 

In selecting poultry or eggs for incubation, apply for 
for what you seek only to a known reliable breeder, who 
will faithfully send what you order, and pay him for. 
There are plenty of such dealers to be found now-a-days, 
in this country. 

II. — ABOUT TRANSPORTING EGGS. 

Never send to a distance for eggs for hatching, when 
you can procure them near home ; as the danger of in- 
juring by transportation is imminent, in conveying this 
delicately formed article over our railways and rough 
roads. 

III. — HOW BEST TO SET A HEN. 

When you get your eggs, set them at once, and don't 
handle them more than is absolutely necessary, until 
you can place them under your hens. Then let them 
alone for three weeks, and " take your chances." 
327 



328 burnham's new poultry-book ; 

IV. — LET THE YOtJXG ONES ALONE ! 

When your young ones are hatclied, don't meddle 
with them, for four and twenty hours, in your impatience 
to see them eat. As a rule, they will eat enough to sat- 
isfy your most ardent desires in this direction, after- 
wards. 

V, — TO CUKE EGG-EATma FOWLS. 

To prevent fowls eating their eggs, blow half a dozen, 
and fill the shells with a mixture of yolks and cayenne 
pepper, or kerosene. Close them up, and place tliese 
eggs where the offenders can try this decoction. A 
single taste will content them ! 

VL — GIVE FOWLS AMPLE RANGE. 

Release your old fowls early in the day, if you have a 
range or yard, for them ; and the larger the better, if 
you keep them in quantity. Ample runs, or walks, for 
poultry, seven or eight months in the year, are almost 
indispensable. 

VII. — ADOPT A KEGULAK SYSTEM. 

However you feed, do it in a cleanly manner, upon 
system, and whatever else you do, be sure they have 
clean fresh water, and plenty of it, at all times. This 
is a pre-requisite to assure their health and prosperity. 

VUI. — WHAT TO DO TD HAVE EGGS. 

Supply them with [)lcnty of gravel, ground bones, 
pounded oyster-shells, ashes and powdered sulphur to 
roll in, and both green and animal food — when con- 
fined — if you expect them to lay eggs, or keep in or- 
duiary health, meautimo. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 329 
IX. — don't "WET A SITTING HEN'S EGGS. 

Never adopt the stupid whim of the ignorant, about 
wetting your eggs^ in the lien's nest for ten days after 
slie sits. Who " wets eggs " for the hen that steals her 
nest ? or that sits and hatches in the wild state ? 

X. — SET THE FRESHEST EGGS, ALWAYS. 

Procure your eggs for setting from the freshest you 
can find ; and never buy, until your hen is ready to 
cover them. By following this rule, you will get more 
chicks, and meet with less disappointment, always. 

XI. — YOU MUST CARE FOR YOUR FOWLS. 

Adopt a regular system in breeding poultry, and re- 
member that any kind of live stock, to be made to pay, 
must have its due share of care and attention. In pro- 
portion to the cost, no stock pays so well as this. 

Xn. — HOW TO AVOID VER^SHiSr. 

To prevent the presence of vermin, give fowls raw 
onions, chopped fine, occasionally ; and dampen your 
roosts and nest-bottoms weekly, with kerosene, or spirits 
of turpentine. Your fowls will thus never be troubled 
with lice. 

Xm. — HOW TO CURE A SICK FOWL. 

If a bird gets sick, remove it directly from the rest. 
If it doesn't recover quickly, knock it on the head, and 
bury it. This is the easiest, surest, and cheapest way 
it can be ' cured,' and save the others, perhaps. 

XrV. — LIGHT, WARMTH, AND AIR. 

Give your poultry light, in the fowl-house, warmth 
and protection in winter. In summer let them have all 



330 burnham's new poultry-book; 

the out-door enjoyment tliey can get. They do not love 
heat^ but crave protection from cold vv^inds and storms. 

XV. — SAVE AND SELL THE MAN DUE. 

Place a board floorhig directly under your roosts, to 
catch the droppings of the fowls during the night. Re- 
move this excrement, daily, and save it. The leather- 
dressers will pay you six dollars a barrel for it. 

XVI. — TO BREED POULTRY PURELY. 

If you aim to breed fowls purely^ never permit a male 
of another variety to reach your pullets, from the start. 
Thus, only^ can you prevent the female from being 
contaminated, for all time, to a greater or less degree. 

XVII. — HOW TO BREAK UP A BROODY HEN. 

Never adopt the brutal mode of putting a broody hen 
into cold water, ' to break her up.' Place her in an 
open slatted coop, with nothing but a roost inside — 
feed her from the outside — and she will quickly forget 
her ' fever.' 

XVm. — LOOK OUT FOR SNOW-WATER ! 

Avoid giving S7^o^^-water to poultry ; it is poison to 
them. A lump of oil-cake scraps, (to be had at the 
pork-houses,) is excellent, placed in the fowl-houses, 
where they can peck it at their pleasure. 

XIX. — CHICKENS ALWAYS READY TO KILL. 

Keep your fowls in good condition, from the shell, by 
judicious feeding. They will cat no more than they 
v/ant ; and thus you will be able, with a few day's extra 
fare, at any time, to put those to be slaughtered in the 
best shape for marketing. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 331 

J XX. —THE BEST SITTING HEN'S NEST. 

In setting your hens, make it a rule to place at the 
bottom of the nest-box, a thick fresh sod ; upon which 
place the straw or hay for the eggs. The moisture from 
the earthy sod will be found a valuable aid to the more 
successful hatching. 

XXI. — don't think your fowls "the best." 

If you raise fowls for exhibitions, don't imagine that 
yours " are the he%t ones " shewn, until the Judges 
decide this little matter (perhaps against you !) The 
adage is true — though musty — that "you can't tell 
who is Governor, till after election." 

XXII. — PEOPER AGE TO BREED FROM. 

Breed from two-year old fowls, for increased size, of 
any variety, as well as to insure chicks that will earliest 
mature. Year-old pullets are very well, but the others 
are best ; and a two-year-old cock is always preferable, 
if you have one. 

xxm. — THE FOWLS, not the cages, win I 

Never expend money foolishly on orjiamental coops, 
for the show-room, but remember that the contents, 
(not the expensive cage) will give you the award, if 
deserving — provided the Judges are competent, honest, 
and fair men, in their decisions. 

XXIV. — J' FipST CLASS WHITEWASH. 

"* Whitewash your hen-house three or four times in a 
season. For the inside, mix half a pail full of lime and 
water, make a starch of half a pound of floui-, and pour 
this in, while liot ; or, a little glue, will answer. 
For outside work, add a handful of salt and boiled rice 
to the above, and when dry, see if you can rub it off. 



232 



burnham's new poultry-book; 



XXV. — HOW TO PEESERVE EGGS IN WIin^ER. 

To preserve your family supply of eggs, for winter 
use, lay them down in the fall, or summer, in a liquid 
composed as follows : one pint of lime, and one pint of 
common salt, dissolved in four gallons of boiling water. 
When cold, put your eggs into this liquid, in a stom 
jar — and they will keep for months. I have tried 
this, for years, without failure. 

These rules are a part of what I have learned in my 
experience ; and I have succeeded in raising pretty good 
fowls, and a great many of them, in my time. If my 
reader will follow out these hints, he can not go far out 
of the right way ; and I can venture to assure him that 
he will be able, thus, to succeed to his satisfaction, in 
" Selecting, Housing, and Breeding Domestic Fowls — " 
as I have done. 




CHAPTER XXX. 

RAISING FOWLS IN QUANTITIES, TO PROFIT. 

Whatever business pursuit is worth undertaking to 
do at all, is worth doing well. The stock-raiser who 
attempts to breed good cattle, horses, sheep or swine, 
is obliged to devote capital, time, study and care to his 
enterprise, to assure success, even in a comparative 
view. And there be many who have distinguished 
themselves, thus, who have found that their animals 
should be the best to be procured of their class, and 
that unless the breeder continually devotes himself to 
their necessities and well-being, competitors in the 
same line will excel him in production, and win the 
palm, as a natural sequence to their more faithful or 
superior management. 

In the multiplying of poultry, both breeders and 
farmers in the United States have notably been remiss 
in carrying out the principle that this pursuit, like any 
other, should be skillfully and attentively conducted, if 
success is aimed at ; and it is too frequently the case 
that the farmer's poultry is deemed of such minor con- 
sequence, that it is left to take care of itself. But 

333 



334 burnham's new poultry-book; 

when the fact is presented that in this present year 
(1871) tlie market value of the domestic poultry and 
eggs in the United States approximates the colossal sum 
of nearly twenty millions of dollars, it will be admitted 
that this is no mean item to be considered, as a single 
branch of the live stock interest in this country ; and it 
ought assuredly to be looked at as one of the leading 
sources that contribute to the grand aggregate of our 
national rural wealth. 

If the farmer who raises his dozen or score or two of 
chickens, annually, which he indifferently obliges to 
roost in the barn-cellar or among his trees, at night, 
and to forage about the farm by day, for sustenance — 
who never cares to house his fowls in winter, and gives 
them no heed in summer, except to gather what eggs he 
can pick up about the hay-mow, or in the cattle- 
mangers — would give a tithe of the attention to his 
poultry that he bestows upon his pigs or sheep, he 
would realize the difference in the returns that would be 
forthcoming from his too often neglected fowls. 

A good deal has been effected through the persistent 
efforts of societies and a few poulterers in the Eastern 
and Middle States, of late years, towards influencing the 
farmers in the right direction, in this business ; and, in 
many quarters, we hear of the waking up of the country 
people to their own interests in this matter. With a 
little extra care in selecting, breeding, and properly 
providing accommodations for fowls, every husband- 
man in our land — in addition to a generous supply of 
eggs for his own family use — could have upon his 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 335 

table, at a nominal cost, a brace of good chickens twice 
or thrice a week, if he desired ; or these same six or 
eight chickens weekly, could be slaughtered and sent to 
the nearest market, to find a ready cash sale, at a 
figure that would pay the raiser doubly the sum that he 
can, at similar cost and with greater labor, obtain for 
the same number of pounds of pork, mutton, or beef. 
This being the fact, it is surprising that poultry is not 
better cared for on the farm, than it has thus far been 
in America. 

There is always a call for good chickens in any city 
market, at remunerative prices ; and eggs will always 
command cash, at similar figures at any season. There 
never yet has been a surfeit of either. The demand is 
unceasing, too, and year by year the statistics show that 
this demand increases. There is no danger of overdo- 
ing this thing. Good clean, bright, fat poultry will al- 
ways find ready purchasers, in our cities and large 
towns in any quantity ; and thus it behooves the farmers 
of the country to look at this subject of fowl-raising with 
an eye to their own pecuniary benefit ; since it can be 
accomplished with such small effort. 

Numerous experiments have been tried among the 
class of men of whom we are writing, the results of 
which, when the accounts have been accurately kept, 
have shown that an ordinary clutch of fowls upon the 
farm has paid a profit of fifty to seventy per cent, on 
the cost, feed and care. What kind of live stock or 
gardening, or farming, will return any thing like such 
percentage as this ? 



336 burnham's new poultry-book; 

And this is not theoretical, remember. In a town in 
California, contiguous to market, there now lives a 
poulterer and farmer who has kept several thousand 
fowls, for some years past, and who is making a reason- 
able fortune in that country, through this means. The 
climate is in his favor, of course ; but he makes a busi- 
ness of it upon system, for marketing purposes, and can 
raise more pounds of poultry and eggs, he avers, at the 
same cost, than he can of pork or beef ; and his chickens 
and eggs bring him twice or thrice the price, per pound, 
that he can realize from the best sheep, swine or cattle 
he can raise even in that favored country. 

Mr. Lewis, in his lately issued ' Practical Poultry 
Book,' gives an account of a South American poultry 
farm, carried on by Don San Fuentes, who now keeps 
some six thousand fowls upon his large estate, and who 
proposes to double or quadruple this number the coming 
season. He commenced operations with only two hun- 
dred birds, a few years ago. But he colonizes his im- 
mense stock, and they have unlimited range over a 
ranche of thousands of acres. He keeps some fifty 
hens and a few cocks, only, in the same colony, how- 
ever, and scatters these families of fifty or sixty each 
over the broad extent of his generous sized farm, so 
that they are kept precisely as we recommend — to wit, 
in separate small collections. Thus only can numbers 
be kept, at all. His houses are of the cheapest kind, 
for the accommodation of this vast congregation of the 
feathered tribe, and five or six hands are employed to 
look after the stock, constantly, as Mr. Leland and 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 337 

other extensive poulterers find it necessary to do. 
This South American breeder collects two hundred 
dozen eggs a day, and states that his profits upon this 
product, and the sale of killed poultry, last year, reached 
eleven thousand dollars. 

If poultry-keeping on a large scale can be carried on 
in one place to a profit, there is no good reason why it 
cannot be accomplished in another section. The farmer 
who has hitherto raised only his score or two of fowls, 
may raise a hundred or two, in the course of a season, 
about as easily. Instead of having twenty or thirty 
dozens of eggs in a twelvemonth, he may have as many 
hundreds — with but trifling additional labor, and but 
slightly increased attention to his poultry. 

Since then it can be done, why not do it ? Every 
agriculturist, every fancier, every amateur fowl-breeder 
can contribute his mite to this desirable project, if he 
has the inclination. And since no other kind of live 
stock pai/s so well, it really seems to our view that it is 
but a duty the farmer owes to the community, that he 
gives more and better attention to the multiplying of 
good poultry and eggs, for general consumption. 

If the nominal intention of breeders and poultry soci- 
eties to " improve " the condition of this branch of rural 
trade means anything, we hope to see their efforts direct- 
ed to the advancement of the chief means whence this 
market supply properly originates — to wit, towards the 
interests of the /armors of the country. 

Quoting once more from the N. Y. Poultry Bulletin, 
we observe that its talented editor lately insists that the 



338 burnham's new poultry book; 

majority of farmers have always considered their poul- 
try of little or no consequence, and they have allowed 
them to run wild and take care of themselves, and de- 
generate from year to year. They generally let them 
roost in their pig-pen, on their wagons, or wherever they 
can find a place. They seldom, if ever feed them, ex- 
cept it be a little in winter, and allow them to make 
their nests on the hay, under the barns, and all over the 
premises. But they very rarely coop them and keep 
them out of the wet grass, or feed them regularly ; in 
consequence of which, full seventy per cent. die. This 
has resulted in reducing the size of poultry and eggs to 
an alarming degree, so that the farmers' chickens and 
ducks average from 2 to 4 lbs., turkeys and geese from 
6 to 8 lbs. and eggs 10 to the pound, etc. And these 
plainly stated facts account, in a great measure, for the 
almost universal opinion current among American far- 
mers that " poultry keeping don't pay." It never will 
pay, conducted in this reckless way, and it ought not to 
pay, so managed ; since if it is not worth the little trouble 
requisite to keep it in good condition, it is not worth 
keeping at all. 

Mr. Leland's poultry establishments, previously al- 
luded to, are the most extensive, if not the largest in the 
Northern States. He has over four thousand Brahma 
fowls in stock, three hundred ducks of different kinds ; 
four to five hundred turkies, and one hundred and fifty 
breeding geese. He kills from one to two hundred head 
weekly, for his great hotel in New York ; and the busi- 
ness pays him handsomely, since he has a quick market 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 339 

through this channel for his poultry, all of which has 
hitherto heen raised for the " Metropolitan ; " from the 
refuse dry offal of which immense establishment, Mr. L. 
has the advantage of being able to furnish his fowls 
with a great variety of acceptable food, at small cost, of 
course. He states that he turns out about three thous- 
sand chickens every spring. 

Thus it has been demonstrated, in late years, that 
poultry can be kept to profit, in quantities, if the right 
management, care and location is accorded the fowls. 
Formerly it was found that the attempt to keep and 
breed this kind of farm stock to any great extent, upon 
one estate, failed of success ; and it is only a few years 
since, that Hon. Lewis F. Allen, in response to a cor- 
respondent who asked his advice as to '' how a chicken- 
house should be constructed, to accommodate about a 
thousand fowls," replied as follows : " If my poor opin- 
ion is worth anything, you will not build it at all. 
Fowls, in any large numbers together, will not thrive. 
1 have seen it tried, but I never knew a large collection 
of several hundred fowls succeed in a confined place. I 
have known sundry of these enterprises tried ; but I 
never knew one permanently/ successful. They were all 
in turn abandoned." 

Thirty years ago, to wit, in 1839 to 1841, 1 planned 
an extensive range of fowl-houses in Roxbury, Mass., 
having leased " Williams' Garden," at the foot of Mt. 
Pleasant, for the pui pose of trying to raise poultry on a 
large scale. I had a fine establishment, good location, 
what I supposed was ample space, and I erected twenty 
fowl-houses, in a circle — connected together under one 



840 buknham's new poultry-book ; 

general shed roof, with small yards attached to each 
house. I had glass houses, too, a pond on the premises, 
and every apparent convenience was at hand that seem- 
ed to be needed. But the enterprise did not succeed. 
Five hundred fowls were massed upon one spot ; and 
they soon failed, retrograded, sickened and died. In 
winter time they could not be kept in good health, with- 
in the limits of the house-confinement ; and after three 
years' trial, I gave it up. But the error committed 
in that instance was in huddling too many fowls together 
under one roof. Only by colonizing thenv^ few in a 
place, scattered about over your farm or estafe, in num- 
bers of not over forty to fifty together, can you breed 
poultry to advantage, or keep them in health. 

And to effect this — time, labor, and attention must 
be given to the object. The thriving merchant rises 
early, goes to his store, and remains there attending 
to his business till evening, and thus obtains a good 
living, or makes money. The mechanic who succeeds 
in life, begins his work with the sun's rising, and labors 
assiduously to its setting — to get on comfortably in the 
world, and lay up something for a rainy day. The 
artisan devotes ten or twelve hours, daily, to liis labors 
and studies, or he runs behind his more enterprising 
rivals. The lawyer and the doctor are necessarily 
obliged to give their days (and nights often,) to their 
duties, constantly ; and very few in these professions get 
rich, through either ! The farmer toils from dawn to 
evening, over his live stock, his crops, or his fields — 
and obtains comfort and subsistence only by attending 
to his work industriously and steadily. 



A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON DOMESTIC FOWLS. 341 

And so every business pursuit in life must needs be 
followed with zeal, care, skill, and determination — to 
prove more or less successful. If any one desires to 
raise poultry to profit, in an ordinary way, he must 
attend to it, precisely as he would to any other business, 
or profession ; or there is nothing in it, for him. Do- 
mestic Fowls will not take care of themselves, advan- 
tageously. They must have shelter, in bad weather; 
they must be kept from crowding each other, in limited 
quarters ; they must be fed and cared for, upon system; 
and they need constant looking after, during the day, 
precisely as any other live stock does. And this under- 
taking should be attempted (on a scale to any great 
extent,) only as any business, pursuit, calling, or profes- 
sion is followed if the party interested expects to 

make the occupation remunerative. 

The same number of hours daily, regularly, and 
faithfully, that the shop-keeper, the mechanic, the 
artisan, the lawyer, the laborer, the farmer, or other 
stock-raiser gives to his duties, profession, or business, 
devoted to the care of two or three thousand fowls, upon 
a suitable location, within reach of market, will yield 
very much better returns, in proportion to the out- 
lay of capital, cost of keeping, etc., than will the multi- 
plying of any live stock grown. There is little of mys- 
tery, little of difficulty to be encountered, in this em- 
ployment, and no hard labor. But to succeed in pro- 
ducing good fowls, or in multiplying this kind of stock, 
in numbers — your poultry must be systematically at- 
tended to, and never be left to shift for themselves. 
And, in this respect, the business of raising fowls is, in 



342 burnham's new poultry-book; 

no particular, ditferent from any other calling. It is a 
good business, a paying eiiterprize, a healthful occupa- 
tion, a pleasant employment, and will be attended with 
satisfactory results — if well followed. Attempted other- 
wise — it will only be coupled with failure ; precisely 
as any business pursuit is certain to fail, if inefficiently, 
or recklessly left to manage itself. 

Thus, in plain phrase, 1 have endeavored to set forth 
in this New Poultry Book such general rules and advice 
as I deem useful, pertinent, and practically feasible, for 
the successful keeping and rearing of chickens and 
fowls, and the production of eggs ; either in fancy 
breeding, or the more useful and desirable pursuit of 
poultry-raising for household and marketing purposes. 

By reference to our previous pages, the reader may 
find the names of many of the principal good breed- 
ers and dealers in this country who raise the finest 
stock, and who are prepared to supply orders, honorably 
and promptly, 1 believe. And we are happy in being able 
to conclude our present pleasant task with the knowl- 
edge that a new impulse has of late been given to the 
subject, among us, which I make no doubt will be fol- 
lowed with largely beneficial results to the poultry in- 
terest in the United States, in the future. 

Very likely I leave many things yet to be learned, 
concerning the matters treated of herein. But, if the 
recommendations I have submitted are followed, poul- 
try-keepers will not be disappointed in the results at- 
tainable through an observance of the suggestions 
contained in this work, which has now reached 

THE END. 



POPULAR POULTRY STOCK. 



At the suggestion of several gentlemen who breed fine poultry, 
the publishers add. at the close of this volume, a few pages of Ad- 
vertisements — thus enabling the reader to inform himself where 
different good strains of fowls may be had. By referring to the fol- 
lowing pages, those interested will find the address of some of our 
best breeders of popular Poultry stock, and we commend the cards of 
these gentlemen to notice, confident that the advertisers enjoy facil- 
ities for producing firsL-class fowls ; and that purchasers may rely 
upon obtaining, either in the way of eggs or fowls for breeding, pre- 
cisely what they order, from these well known and reputable estab. 
lishments. 



343 



STEA^M 



rrji r\n^ f®'* ? . 4>® 



&< 



No. 21 CORNHILL, 




BOSTON, MASS. 



Messes. W. H. Chandler & Co., Printers of Burnham's "NEW 
POULTRY BOOK," would inform Dealers in Poultry, that the 
numerous splendid illustrations of Fowls which appear in this voliune 
are copyrighted, were mostly got up by Bricher & Conant, of this 
city, expressly for the present work, and are drawn from life. 
Breeders and Fanciers who desire to procure 

CIRCULARS RELATING TO THEIR STOCK, 

can select one or more of the illustrations which appear in this Book, 
of any variety or varieties of Fowls, Geese, Turkies, Ducks, or Games, 
with which they may desire to show their stock (of which Cuts we 
have reserved duplicates) which Circulars we are now prepared, at 
brief notice, through these facilities, to print in the most acceptable 
style, at moderate charges. 

G^^ Dealers desirous of avaiUng themselves of this proposal can 
send the matter for such Circulars, by mail, (with directions as to 
their choice of Illustrations) and the Circulars (large or small) when 
printed, can readily be forwarded to their address, by Express, to 
any part of the United States ;— thus saving fanciers the heavy cost 
of getting up original wood cuts and electrotypes of their stock. 

Address W. H. CHANDLER & CO., 

Job Printers, 21 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. 





White-Faced Black Spanish, 

AND 

DUCK- WING GAME FOWLS. 



I have bred my Fowls very carefully, for some years past, always 
from the ^nesi and pwresi stock that could be obtained; and I feel 
confident that I have in my yards (from which I am now breeding,) 
as choice specimens as can be found anywhere. 

I shall have a few Eggs to spare during the season, also a few prime 
chickens to dispose of, in the fall. 

Address C. H. EDMONDS, 

MELROSE, MASS., 

Or, care of Box 3,639, P. O. Boston, Mass. 




1®® A® K®A©BA 



^^ 






IMPORTER AND BREEDER OF 



^h 



has for sale, from his late Importations of Stock, which was 
carefully selected from the yards of the 

Best Breeders in England, 

REGARDLESS OF COST, 

BUFF COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. 
PAHTRIDGE do. " " 

WHITE do. *' " 

DARK BRAHMA, PEA COMB. 
LIGHT BRAHMA, do. 
BLACK RED GAME. 
BROWN do. do. 
RED PILE do. 

AND OTHER VARIETIES. 

2!^=" A Poultry Circular will be issued by me early in the fall. 

GEO. A. MEACHAM, 

NORTH CAMBRIDGE, MASS 

YARDS AT SOMERVILLE.) 



s* 


KSSS'^W^ 


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1 


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FOR CHOICE FOWLS 

SEND TO 

G-. A. DEITZ, 

CHAMBERSBURG, PA., 

Who has the largest Poultry yard in the 
United States. 
2[^='Send for Circular. «:^35 1 

ALSO, 

Choice Hogs, Sheep and Cattle. 



i 



® m^ 



m 



BKEEDERS AND SHIPPEBS OF 

30 Varieties 

Of W^mej mm§. ^ele^iedi, Seme Died 

FOWLS, 

Eaas, PIGEONS, &o. 

BRAHMAS, 

B-afF, ^Wliite and Cartridge 

COCHINS, 

BLACK BBEASTED HED GAME BANTAMS, 

DUCK- WING GAME BANTAMS, 



f M 



1PWBK 



AYLESBURY AND ROUEN DUCKS. 

For Price List, Circular, &c., Addi-ess Box 701, 

SCHENECTADY, N. Y. 



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Breeder of and Dealer in all of the most useful and popular kinds 

of Thoroughbred 





i»S^ 



I am making a specialty of 

Dark Brahmas, Partridge Cochins, Black Spanish, 

Light Brahmas, Buff Cochins, Houdans. 

Send stamp for fully illustrated catalogue and price list. 



Live Stoci Asriciiitni^al M HDrWnral Apiicy. 



'i) 



m 



ISTo. 5 Soiitli Tenth St., Phila., 

IMPORTER, BREEDER AKD SHIPPER OF ALL VARIETIES OF 







# ''^ ^ ^« 




f *^$4%# 



Agent for the Purchase and Sale of Live Stock generally, 



INCLUDING 



Jersey, Shod Horo, Afrsliire and Devon Cattle, 

CHESTER WHITE AIVD BERKSHIRE SWINE, 

SOUTHDOWN AND COTSWOLD SHEEP, &c., &c. 



Orders solicited for Agricultural and Horticultural Imple- 
ments, Fertilizers, Seeds, Plants, Nursery Stock, &c. 



I make the ASIATIC class of Fowls a Specialty. My Stock of 
Cochins and Brahmas were all eviported by myself, and 
HAVE WON PRIZES at the leading Exhibitions, for the last three 
years. I am adding to them every year, by fresh importations and 
careful selections, having peculiar reference to the most desirable 
qualities in the different vaf'ieties ; and with a view to avoid close 
breeding ; I can therefore confidently offer my Stock as being fully 
equal, if not superior to any in America. 

D. W. HEBSTINE, 

No. 5 South 10th Street, - - - - PHILADELPHIA, PA. 






@ (^ 






IS THE GREAT LEADING POPULAR 



JOURNAL OF THE NORTHWEST. 



FOB COUNTRY AND TOWN! 

FOR OLD AND YOUNG!! 

ALL POULTRY BREEDERS NEED IT. 

SUBSCRIBE NOW! 

AN ANNUAL PRESENT TO ALL! 

Pablislied Weekly, at $2.00 per Year; or, at same price as most 

Monthlies. 

1^" THREE MONTHS ON TRIAIi FOR FIFTY CENTS. «j^ 

Specimen Numbers Free. 
MOST LIBERAL PREMIUMS OFFERED. 

New List Now Ready. Send for it and get up a Club. Address 

THE PRAIRIE FARMER COMPANY, Chicago. 
Remit at Our Risk, by Registered Letter or P. O. Money Order. 



«) 11/ «) 



WATERLOO, SENECA COUNTY, N. Y., 

BREEDER OF SUPERIOR 

Dark and Light Brahmas, 
Buff and Partridge Cochins, 

AND 

DUCK-WING GAMES. 

E. J. TAYLOR'S PRICE LIST OF EGGS. 

PARTRIDGE COCHINS, .... $6.00 per dozen. 

DARK BRAHMAS, 5.00 " 

BUFF COCHINS, 4.00 " 

LIGHT BRAHMAS, 3.00 " 

DUCK-WING GAME, 3.00 '' 

WHITE CALCUTTA SWAN FANTAIL PIGEONS, $5.00 per pair. 



I never send any but fresh Eggs, and pack them carefully in dry 
saw-dust, unless otherwise ordered. I pack every egg myself, and 
warrant them to reach their destination sound, but will not warrant 
them to hatch ; not knowing what treatment they will receive after I 
have shipped them. They ought, however, to hatch a very good per- 
centage of chicks, and will, if cared for properly. 

Orders filled in rotation as received, and in every case where the 
order cannot be filled, the money will be inuuediately refunded. 

£^=-N0 FOWLS OR EGGS SENT C. 0. D.=^ 

P. O. Orders on Seneca Falls, Drafts on New York, or Registered 
Letters sent at my risk. 

Be particular to write name and direction plainly. 



IF YOU WANT AGENTS, 

OR 

HAVE STOCK TO SELL, 

OR 

ANYTHING TO MAKE KNOWN 

TO THE 

PEOPLE OF THE WEST, 

YOU HAVE ONLY TO 

PUT AN ADVERTISEMENT 

INTO 

KSlLOEIi'S "INSIDE TRACE LIST" 



OF 



Ky270 COUNTRY NEWSPAPERS..^ 

This liist comprises a L.arg'e Proportion of the Best "Western County 

Papers, Superior in Cliaracter, Circulation, and Influence, 

to those of any otlier list. 

RATES FOR THE WHOLE LIST, - - $2.50 PER LINE. 

£ach Insertion. 

If you use a cut, one electrotype will be sufficient. 

The limited amount of advertisements in the pages controlled by 
us in these papers, makes every advertisement in them more conspic- 
uous, and consequently more valuable to the advertiser. 

Advertisers can reach the readers of these only through this List, 
except at rates at least three times those we charge. 

Parties ordering through this List not only save great labor and ex- 
pense in correspondence, and in cuts, but also secure for their adver- 
tisements a gratifying neatness and clearness of printing, and for 
their orders great promptness and positive certainty of execution. 

All Obders should be addressed to 

A® If® mmm^wmm^ 

Auxiliary Publish-or, 

no & 112 Madison Street, Chicago, III. 



i) 



m 



i 



BA^T^VI^, OHIO, 

Breeder of the famous 



ifc. 







( The only Flock of this valuable Game known in America. ) 



Such has been their success as Warriors, that Sportsmen of Cincinnati 
have refused "to pit" any other cock against one of these DERBY WHITE 
GAMES. 

ALSO, 

HOUDAKTS, BUFF COCHIN, DARK AND LIGHT BRAHMAS, 
WHITE LEGHORN, GOLDEN SEBRIGHT BANTAMS, 
SILVER SPANGLED HAMBURG, WHITE FACED 
BLACK SPANISH, • 

MAMMOTH BRONZE TURKEYS, 



CSilTA €SSSS. 



ALSO, 



A great variety of FANCY PIGEONS, of the finest excellence. 

Black, and also Yellow Barbs, Jacobines, Turbits, 
Tumblers, Trumpeters, Nuns, etc. 

IW^ All the above FOWLS and PIGEONS are from the leading yards 
of Europe and America. 






B\ 



® 



My stock is bred, and kept in the highest purity, by Stock from the 
pens of Joseph Harris, Esq., Moreton Farms, Rochester, N. Y., and from 
Importations by Col. W. P. Anderson, Cincinnati, Ohio. Everything sent 
out by me guaranteed as represented. 
Address, with stamp, 

G. W. FELTER, 

BATAVIA, OHIO. 



THE TURF, FIELD AND FARM, 

The Sportsman's Oracle and Country Gentleman's Newspaper. 

PUBLISHED WEEKLY, 
At No. 37 Park Row, .... New York. 



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withal a graphic writer. Our CHESS CHRONICLE is edited by Capt. 
MacKenzie, the strongest and the leading player of the Western Hemisphere; 
and our DRAUGHT EDITOR is evervwhere accepted as an authority. Our 
AGRICULTURAL, BILLIARD, FISHING, VETERINARY, SHOOTING 
and DRAMATIC DEPARTMENTS are ably conducted, and each is in 
charge of a different writer. Our LITERARY REVIEWS are bold, critical 
and independent, and our STAFF OF SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS large 
and strong. 

Our friends in every City, Township and County should send Clubs. Ad- 
dress, TURF, FIELD AND FARM ASSOCIATION, 
P. 0. Box 6,842. No. 37 Park Row, New York. 






CALLIPOLIS, OHIO. 



We shall oflfer for sale during the fall of 1871, and Spring of 1872, 
the following list of Fowls, bred from imported Stock, viz : 

LIGHT BRAHMAS, per pair, $6 00 

DARK BRAHMAS, per pair, 10 00 

HOUDANS, per pair, 7 00 

BUFF COCHINS, per pair, 10 00 

BLACK JAYAS, per pair, 7 00 

WHITE LEGHORNS, per pair, 6 00 

WHITE DORKINGS, per pair, 6 00 

SILVER SPANGLED POLANDS, per pair, - - 7 00 

BLACK SPANISH, per pair, 7 00 

GOLDEN HAMBURGS, per pair, . - - - 6 00 

BRONZE TURKIES, per pair, 10 00 ^ 

TOPKNOT, or CUBAN" DUCKS, per pair, - - 6 00 

WHITE BREMEN GEESE, per pair, - - - 10 00 -^ 

«»• 

2l^='0ur patrons may rely upon obtaining from us first class birds. 
Address, 

C. N. PALMER & SONS,- 

GALLIPOLIS, OHIO. 




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I breed but four varieties, and those are from the best stock in Europe. 

My CREVE COEURS and HOUDANS are my own importations 
from the " JARDIN DE ACCLIMATATION," Paris, France. I 
have made six different importations since February, 1867, and my 
stock contains no trace of any other Blood. I can therefore give a 
'• pedigree" of every fowl and egg of these varieties from my yard. 

It is a noted fact among fanciers that there is scarcely a Jieatlhy 
yard of Creve Coeurs in the British Isles. The climate there does not 
agree with this variety. In importing from such a source, does it 
not follow that the result must be unhealthy fowls, and progeny ? 

To my persistent avoidance of all strains of English bred Creve 
Coeurs, I attribute my uniform good success and healthiness of my 
stock. I have never lost a Creve Coeur by roup, and don't think I 
ever had a case of it among my flock. They are uniformly healthy, 
and with me, as hardy and easy to raise as the Brahmas. 

Si^^My Dark Brahmas are also my own importation from the yard 
of the Hon. J. K. Fowler, England. 

My Black Spanish are the two first and the third premium pens 
at the last show of the N. Y. S. Poultry Society ; all imported, and 
from THREE of the most noted ya^y^fcigland, viz. : Henry Bel- 
don, Esq., J. H. Cryer, Esq., and Lady Holmsdale, making I believe, 
the BEST yard of Spanish in America. 

PKICE LIST. 

Creve Coeurs, ----- $15 per pair. - - - - $23 per trio. 

Houdans, ------ 15 per pair. - - - - 23 per trio. 

Dark Brahmas, ----- 16 per pair. - - - - 25 per trio. 

Black Spanish, - - - 10 to 20 per pair. - - 15 to 30 per trio. 

"PURITY AND EXCEI.L.ENCE GUARANTEED." 

Eggrs for Sale in Season. 

gi:^=*Above Prices include Boxing and Delivery at Express Oflice 
at Rye, N. Y. 

TERMS CASH— accompanying" the Order. No Fowls 
Shipped "C O. D." All orders filled in rotation 

as received. 

Remittances by Express to Rye, or by P. O. Money Order on New 

York City. 



A. M. HALSTED, Rye, N. Y. 



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Aurora, Cayuga Lake, N. Y., 

IMPORTER AND BREEDER OF 

PURE BRED 




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OR, 



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Dark and Light Brahmas, Buff Cochins, White and Silver 

Grey Dorkings, 

GOLDEN SPANGLED HAMBURGS. 
and Sumatra Games, Rouen Ducks, White Holland Turkies. 



^ 



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AND 



Price List and Descriptive Catalofcties furnished upon receipt of Postage Stamp. 

Nothing sold C. O. D. 



Aurora, April, 1871. 



THOS. GOULD. 



LIVE STOCK JOURNAL, 

AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY. 

Devoted to the Breeding, Feeding, Management of Live Stock Poultry, and 

Bees : to the Dairv and the Turf. 

Among its regular corps of contributors are 

HON. I.EWIS F. AI.L,EN, of Buffalo. 

E. W. STEWART, of Lake View, N. Y. 

CYRUS O. POOLE, of New York City. 

I.. B. ARNOLD, of Ithaca, N. Y. 

MISS MIDY MORGAN, of the New York Times. 

DAVID Z. EVANS, JR., of Maryland. 

WILLIAM SOMERVILLE, V. S. 

BURR H. NICHOLS, of Lockport, N. Y. 

Besides numerous Special Contributors from the ranks of Breeders, Feed- 
ers, Poultry Fanciers, Apiarians and Dairymen. 

Every effort is made to ensure its being in all its departments, a 
FIRST-CLASS JOURNAL, 
Which meets the Wants of all who are interested in the care of Domestic 
Animals, Fowls or Bees. 

Special Attention is paid to the Poultry Department. 

During the short time that the Live Stock Journal, has been before the 
public, it has attained a reputation and influence which gives it a position in 
the front rank of agricultural publications. It was started with a view to 
supply the manifest want of a first-class magazine, devoted exclusiveh- to 
the great and growing live-stock interest of the country. Every effort wKich 
could be made by the employment of the best talent in the country, and a 
heavy expenditure of capital, has been put forth to make it a fitting exponent 
of the vast interest to which it is devoted. An entire ^ew outfit of elegant 
type and materials was purchased expressly for it; writers of the highest 
reputations and acknowledged authority in all matters relating to the manage- 
ment of live stock, the dairy, poultry and bees, are permanently engaged as 
contributors to its columns at liberal rates of compensation ; fine and expen- 
sive engravings are used to illustrate its pages, and it is printed on an extra 
heavy quality of fine book paper. 

These efforts to make the Live Stock Journal worth}^ of popularity, have 
met with a gi-atifying success. It has already attained a wide-spread circula- 
tion in every State in the Union, in the Dominion of Canada, and recently 
names from England and France have been added to its subscription list. Its 
original articles have not only gone the rounds of the American press, but 
have been translated into foreign language, and copied by foreign papers. 

TERMS.— Single Copy One Year, »1.50 ; Four Copies, S5.00 ; Eight 
Copies, Sft9.50; Ten Copies, $13,00; Fifteen Copies, S15.00. 

GEQ:g,pyggA. MAPvTIN, Editor and Publisher. 

ft 8 HENRY C. SPRINGER & CO., Proprietors, 

Office, No. 4 Coit Block, 16 AYest Swan St., Buffalo, N. Y. 

^^^ All funds should be remitted cither by Post Office orders, or draft on 
New York. In all cases the expense of forwarding may be deducted from 
the amount. Where there is no money order Post Office or bank, the amount 
may be remitted in currency at our risk, if less than forty dollars — if forty 
dollars, or more, bv express at our expense. ~^ ^ 

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